Big changes are coming to Century Casino Caruthersville, which sits along the Mississippi River in Missouri’s Bootheel.
The casino plans to break ground Dec. 2 on a $20 million expansion project intended to entice customers from four states.
Century bought buildings around its property
Currently, online casinos in Missouri, as well as all forms of sports betting, are prohibited. Although Missouri lawmakers have shown interest in making sports wagering legal, there’s been no considerable effort to make online casinos lawful in The Show Me State.
The groundbreaking at Century Casino comes after it recently announced the acquisition of much of the area surrounding its current property. That included buying a two-story hotel, its connected parking lot and four stand-alone houses.
Caruthersville Mayor Sue Grantham said:
“They have already bought a hotel, which is across the street, and some other little houses that are just adjacent to that.”
Casino will no longer be located on Mississippi River
Ultimately, Century Casino hopes the expansion will serve as a draw for tourists who are looking for a getaway.
Once Missouri sports betting is legalized, gamblers will have even more reason to visit the area.
Century Casino plans to renovate the old hotel and also build a brand new hotel next to the casino’s existing pavilion. The new land-based venue will be rebuilt off the river and connected to both the new and renovated hotel construction.
Caruthersville citizens eager for expansion
Many citizens of Caruthersville are hopeful about the expansion project. Caruthersville Public Library Director Teresa Tidwell even went so far as to call the casino fundamental to the city’s continued prosperity.
“We rely on the casino a lot. They have been wonderful to this community, so I think by the announcement that they have made about the expansion, it can only help our city and bring more tourists because they are going to invest a sizable amount.”
Additionally, Caruthersville’s growing tourism means that additional hotels are especially needed in the city.
Century Casino General Manager Denny Callen said:
“We are excited to expand and enhance our property by providing much-needed, renovated local hotel rooms.”
Besides the expansion, an additional project close to the casino intends to provide more family-friendly activities.
Casino renovation projects happening nationwide
Century Casino Caruthersville is one of many casino and hotel renovations currently underway across the country. Such trends should continue as betting becomes more widely accepted within the many states that have voted to legalize gaming.
For example, Isle Casino Pompano Park in Florida is undergoing a renovation into Live! Pompano Entertainment Complex. It’s a joint venture between Caesars Entertainment and the Cordish Company.
The location has announced plans for a nearly 100,000-square-foot hotel and a massive outdoor space for concerts and events. That’s in addition to a new casino and family-focused venues such as a movie theater and grocery-oriented retail space.
Expect more and more of these gaming complexes to open around the country come 2023.
In the meantime, Century Casino Caruthersville plans to break ground on its $20 million project Friday, Dec. 2 at 9:30 am ET.
