BUSINESS MEMO: GAMBLING STATISTICS

The Casino Queen paid out 95 percent of the money dropped into its slots in 1998.

The Queen at East St. Louis, Ill., features slot machines in demoninations from a nickel to $100.

Second on the "loosest slots" list in the St. Louis area was Players Island at Riverport of Maryland Heights, at 94.8 percent. Harrah's, a joint venture partner of Players at Riverport, was third, with the annual payout of 94.7 percent.

Rounding out the St. Louis "loosest slots" list are the Alton (Ill.) Bell, at 94.6 percent, Station Casino at St. Charles, at 94.3 percent, and the Admiral in downtown St. Louis, at 93.6 percent.