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Boats increase school revenue

The man in charge of Missouri's budget says, river boat gambling benifits more Missourians than just those who enjoy pulling slot levers. Ben Davis has the story from Jefferson City in 3,2,1.

State Budget Director Mark Ward says since Missouri allowed gamblers to float on the river in 1994, public schools have received more than a billion dollar increase in funds.

Ward says the gross tax receipts from the river boats generated more than 180 million dollars in the 2000 fiscal year alone.

Ward also says there's no reason to think the money will not continue to come in.

The revenue of riverboats in Kansas City and St. Louis has increased every year since their inception.

Reporting from Jefferson City, Ben Davis