JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Gaming Association, the statewide professional association of the Missouri casino industry, is inviting high school seniors to enter the 24th annual Project 21 scholarship competition. This year, one $2,500 first prize scholarship and three $1,500 second prize scholarships will be awarded. The Project 21 scholarship program encourages students to learn and educate their peers on the illegality, dangers and consequences of underage gambling.
The deadline for submitting Project 21 scholarship entries to the Missouri Gaming Association is March 1, 2020. The competition is open to all Missouri high school seniors planning to attend an institution of higher education in the United States within four years of graduation. The scholarship application and guidelines are available for download at www.missouricasinos.org or http://bit.ly/MGA-2020-Project21.
Students must write and publish an original essay or article in the school newspaper, or create a poster or video. The article, poster or video must focus on the issues and ramifications of underage gambling. Entries must be published or displayed at the student’s high school for at least one full week between December 1, 2019 and February 15, 2020. Entries will be judged for originality, content, style and educational value.
“We want students to know it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to gamble in a Missouri casino,” said Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association. “We also want them to understand the dangers and consequences when youth participate in other types of underage gambling, such as card games and sports betting.”
All Missouri high school seniors, including those whose parents are casino employees, are eligible for the Project 21 scholarships, provided their parent is not a Missouri Gaming Association officer or a Project 21 Executive Committee member. High school seniors employed part-time (less than 32 hours per week) by a Missouri casino also are eligible.
The Project 21 scholarship application is available for download at www.missouricasinos.org or http://bit.ly/MGA-2020-Project21 or by calling (573) 634-4001. Written requests for applications can be sent to PO Box 305, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Winners will be announced by March 31, 2020 and scholarships will be awarded by April 15, 2020.
ABOUT MISSOURI GAMING ASSOCIATION (MGA)
The Missouri Gaming Association (MGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry. Founded in 1993, the Missouri Gaming Association works to promote responsible gaming and increase awareness of the economic benefits of casinos in Missouri. The MGA and its casino company members sponsor year-round responsible gaming programs including the 1-888-BETSOFF crisis line and referral service, Project 21 scholarship competition, and Responsible Gaming Awareness Week. For more information, visit www.missouricasinos.org.
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