The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) has released the 2008 Economic Impact data. The IRGC tracks the annual numbers for the licensed commercial casino’s employee wages and benefits, Buy Iowa First purchases, charitable contributions and taxes paid. This data is a clear indicator of the significant impact the 17 casino businesses provide to Iowa’s economy, and it shows how they add value to the state’s entertainment industry. This Economic Impact report especially highlights the Iowa percentage to the overall cumulative total in the far left column; which indicates last year’s impact was over $1 billion!
Some key points to note from the 2008 figures include:
- Casinos paid over $280 million in employee wages and benefits.
- The industry’s Buy Iowa First Program purchased nearly 92% in eligible products and services from Iowa-based companies totaling over $293 million.
- Nearly $379 million was paid in taxes at the local, county, state, and federal levels.
- Over $83 million was paid in charitable contributions and donations to the non profit license holder, or contributed to the city or county projects to benefit thousands of worthy grant requests.
Each of these categories demonstrate Iowa’s licensed and state regulated gaming businesses’ ongoing commitment as a viable corporate citizen to their communities and Iowa.
