Page 47: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 1994)

Bender Shipbuilding—Building For Diversity Of Casino Operators

Bender Shipbuilding & Repair

Co., Inc., of Mobile, Ala., was one of the first Gulf Coast shipyards to convert and build vessels to supply the booming riverboat casino mar- ket that swept the U.S. in the early 1990s. In July 1991, Bender com- pleted the conversion of the 156-foot (48-m) Alton Belle Casino, the first riverboat casino to operate in Illi- nois. Following this success, Bender has converted or built casino projects for Illinois, Mississippi, and Louisi- ana. By 1993, Bender became the nation's top builder of riverboat ca- sinos, and Bender's engineering department created an extensive library of casino designs.

Partly in response to this fast- growing casino market, Bender ex- panded its capabilities by opening a shipyard in Braithwaite, La. in

January 1993. Bender Shipyard, near New Orleans, allows the com- pany a competitive edge in the de- livery and pricing of casino riverboats. The new yard was quickly filled with casino projects for Louisiana and other gaming ar- eas. Less than eight months after it opened, Bender Shipyard delivered the 260-foot (79-m)Star Casino, the first riverboat casino to operate in

Louisiana.

Bender has built a reputation for rapid delivery of casino vessels. The

Alton Belle conversion was com- pleted in only 90 days. The Silver

Eagle, currently operating in Ga- lena, 111., was converted in less than 45 days. Splash, a 400-foot (122-m) casino-restaurant barge operating in Tunica, Miss., was converted in

Shelby Williams

Supplier's Quality,

Service 'Sits Well'With

Casino Operators

From its rudimentary beginnings as producers of quality seating for the hospitality industry, Shelby

Williams has cultivated an exten- sive line of casino seating for virtu- ally every segment of gaming opera- tions. From Black Jack, to Slot

Machine, to Keno Chairs, each piece is designed to meet the specific re- quirements of that particular game.

As an innovator of design and technology, Shelby Williams offers the convenience of its patented "Quick-Release" or Permanent

Mount slot base and the beauty and practicality of Protective Vinyl Edges on seats and backs.

An extensive choice of design, wood finish, upholstery, metal and vinyl edge colors enables the buyer to create a chair that is uniquely his/ her own, to meet his/her aesthetic requirements.

Please visit Shelby Williams at

Booth 1043.

For more information on Shelby

Williams,

Circle 173 on Reader Service Card less than 120 days.

Bender's extensive experience in conversions also allows it a competi- tive edge in delivery. In the past 20 years, Bender has converted more vessels to new uses than any other

U.S. shipyard. In addition to the

Alton Belle an&Silver Eagle,Bender converted the Cotton Club, a Mis- sissippi casino vessel converted from an automobile ferry; and Harrah's

Vicksburg, a dockside casino con- verted from a deck barge.

Bender has the following casino vessels under construction: Trea- sure Chest, Kenner, La.]Horseshoe,

Bossier City, La.; Casino Rouge,

Baton Rouge, La.; Lady Luck Ca- sino, New Orleans, La .{Elgin Lady,

Elgin, 111.; Harrah's, North Kansas

City, Mo. \Lucky Seven, Kimmswick,

Mo.; Crescent City Queen, New Or- leans, La.; and the Grand Palais,

New Orleans, La.

Please visit Bender Shipbuilding at Booth 131.

For more information on Bender

Shipbuilding,

Circle 180 on Reader Service Card ®1993 by Shelby Williams Industries, Inc.

See us at Booth #1043

SHOWROOMS IN PRINCIPAL CITIES WORLDWIDE ' Protective Vinyl Edges: U.S. Patent No. 5,118,162 ' Quick-Release Base: U.S. Patent No. 5,102,192

SHELBY WILLIAMS INDUSTRIES, INC.

Executive Offices: 150 Shelby Williams Drive • Morristown, TN 37813 • Phone: (615) 586-7000 • Fax: (615) 586-2260

RIVERBOAT &

INDIAN GAMING

Phone: 312/527-3500

FAX: 312/527-3507

SHELBY WILLIAMS CASINO SEATING SPECIALISTS

STATE OF NEVADA

Phone: 310/657-8687 702/228-8983

FAX: 310/657-9837

ATLANTIC CITY

Phone: 301/231-9441

FAX: 301/881-5548

Circle 339 on Reader Service Card

NEW YORK

Phone: 212/888-9050

FAX: 212/421-4328

INTERNATIONAL

Phone: 615/586-7000

FAX: 615/587-4839 (aiinc ')<><(fin

Maritime Reporter/Engineering News IGBE Special Supplement page 11