By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – St. Louis County is a step closer to getting a new casino on the Mississippi River.
The Missouri Gaming Board approved Pinnacle Entertainment's application Wednesday for permanent docking in Lemay.
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley says the casino will bring in $25 million in tax revenue annually and will provide 2,000 permanent jobs.
"That should jumpstart other economic activity in the area, so we're very excited about what goes on down there and we're very committed to the south county area," Dooley said. "We're just thrilled about it and looking for great things to happen."
The company will pay $5 million in rent each year to the St. Louis County Port Authority.
Dooley says Pinnacle has also committed $10 million to clean up the lead-contaminated site.
A Pinnacle spokesman says the company expects to start work this summer.