CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) -- Cape Girardeau apparently hit the jackpot when it bet on opening a casino.
City officials say the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau has brought in $11.5 million in revenue into the southeast Missouri community since it opened in October of 2012.
The Southeast Missourian reports (http://bit.ly/22vraOn) the money has helped pay for street improvements, retired airport bonds and built up the city's emergency reserve fund.
And Mayor Harry Rediger says development of the casino site has eliminated blight and reduced crime, as well as adding 400 to 500 jobs to the city.
And under the development agreement, 3 percent of the revenue is divided between Cape Girardeau County, the city of Jackson and Scott City.