The Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association (MRGA) has awarded a $500 scholarship to a Caruthersville student for a poster entitled "Underage Gambling is a Gamble on Your Life."

Erin Bullington, a senior at Caruthersville High School, was one of eight students statewide who were honored wit scholarships from the MRGA, a trade association for the state's riverboat casinos.

The statewide contest was designed to let students educate their peers that it is not permissible in Missouri for persons under the age of 21 to gamble in a riverboat casino, said Mike Ryan, executive director for the association.

A total of 1.5 million casino visitors were "carded" last year, and 28,000 were denied entry.