Missouri’s K-12  schools could face even tougher funding hurdles this year thanks to the slumping gaming industry.

A document provided to the Associated Press today shows Missouri’s 12 casinos were projected to generate about $372 million. That was based on the assumption that removing loss limits would generate more revenue.

But Gaming Commission director Roger Stottlemyre says numbers are coming in about $24 million below expectations. He blames the continued poor economy.

A spokesman for Governor Jay Nixon says the governor will be looking for ways to fill that gap. Last year, the governor sliced state funding for transportation programs.

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