Harrah's Metropolis Casino & Hotel

Location: Metropolis
Year opened: 1993
Employees: nearly 800
Visitors in 2008: 1.076 million
2008 total Illinois tax revenue generated: $30.2 million
2008 local share of tax revenue: $7.4 million

The local share of tax money from Harrah's Metropolis Casino has funded:

• Development of Metropolis Industrial Park
  
• Renovations to city electric, water, and sewer systems

Harrah's Metropolis Casino's charitable donations to the community include:

• Since 2000, Harrah's Metropolis has contributed $1.8 million in sponsorships, in-kind, and cash donations.  Some of the largest benefactors include:
  
• $110,000 to the American Cancer Society
• $261,000 to Guardian Family Services women’s shelter in Metropolis
• $140,250 to the City of Metropolis to provide half of the funding to purchase the Metropolis Community Center
• $70,000 to Easter Seals
• $57,000 to United Way
• $55,000 to Hurricane Katrina Survivors
• $50,000 to Metropolis Senior Center
• $40,000 to Happy Hearts Senior Center
• $10,000 to Massac County Fire Department
• $41,000 to Alzheimer’s Association
• $20,000 to New York Relief Fund

• Harrah’s Metropolis consistently leads the Harrah’s corporation in volunteer hours.  Since 2000, employees of Harrah’s Metropolis have donated 28,317 hours in volunteer and charitable work.  Events include:
  • Participating in the American Cancer Society’s annual “Relay for Life” event
  • Holding food drives and donating to local food pantries
  • Participating in the annual Rebuilding Together program that provides home improvements to local residents in need
  • Holding annual school supply drive that provides hundreds of students with necessary supplies to start school
  • Participating in annual Ohio River Sweep event
• Harrah’s purchased and donated two delivery trucks to Happy Hearts Senior Center Meals on Wheels program.  The center delivers 110 meals per day Monday thru Friday to seniors.

"Harrah's Metropolis Casino has had a tremendous impact on our Ohio River Community.  Since the onset, Harrah's has been an important business leader, employer and partner in our community. The recent addition of a hotel and even center represents progress for the City of Metropolis; progress for Illinois tourism, progress through revenue generation, and progress for the local work force.  Harrah's is a wonderful asset to our community and one that we are proud to consider a great neighbor."
-Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel

For more information on Harrah's Metropolis Casino, visit www.harrahs.com.