By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Three companies bidding for a contract to build new casino operations in the St. Louis area made presentations to County officials on Thursday.
Isle of Capri Casinos, Pinnacle Entertainment and Harrah's Entertainment are each proposing multi-million dollar projects.
St. Louis County Economic Council CEO Denny Coleman acknowledges local companies could lose some business to a new casino but he says the gaming operators will be giving back. "We will also be making sure that whichever gaming operator is selected is contributing some substantial dollars to the benefit of the schools, to the benefit of the fire districts and to some community development funds that will help with renovation and restoration of older commercial strips around this area and in south county in general," he said
The county's economic council and port authority will submit their recommendations to the County Council by January 15.