Page 115: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 1994)

Gaming Referendums

Defeated In Missouri

By a narrow margin, Missouri residents voted down an amend- ment to the state constitution which would have allowed the operation of games of chance within the state.

Riverboat owners may still get a state license for so-called games of skill, such as poker and blackjack.

In real terms, this means that slot machines, which reportedly are responsible for about 80 percent of casino profits, will not be allowed in casino developments, as they are considered games of chance.

In November 1992, voters in Mis- souri overwhelmingly approved riverboat casino entertainment on selected sites in the state, making the recent referendum even more upsetting to operators. This was followed by successful local refer- endums. However, the legality of the games of chance was challenged as counter to the Missouri Consti- tution.

Harrah's, a unit of Promus Com- panies, is re-evaluating its two ca- sino developments under way in the state—North Kansas City and

Maryland Heights.

Sahara Gaming Corp. has a con- tract with the city of Parkville, Mo. to develop a dockside casino enter- tainment complex.

Operators Respond

Sahara Gaming Corp. announced it would study its options to deter- mine how it will proceed. Sahara currently has a contract with the city of Parkville to develop a dockside casino entertainment com- plex. "Naturally, we're disappointed with the vote," said Paul W.

Lowden, chairman and CEO. "We have begun a study of our alterna- tives and will announce a decision when we conclude our review."

Sahara Gaming, along with nu- merous hotel properties, has a 20 percent interest in Treasure Bay

Gaming & Resorts, which just opened a 56,000-sq.-ft. casino in

Biloxi, Miss., and has a 63,000-sq.- ft. casino in Tunica, Miss, pending

Mississippi Gaming Authority ap- proval.

Harrah's, the casino entertain- ment division of The Promus Com- panies, said it was reevaluating its position in the state. "We are disap- pointed that the opportunities in

Missouri continue to be clouded by the confusion over what games are and are not legal in the state," said

Phil Satre, president of The

Promus Companies. "We still have two excellent facilities under devel- opment in Missouri and will be dis- cussing our options as far as gam- ing and entertainment with the state regulators." As of the ruling, construction for Harrah's North

Kansas city has proceeded on sched- ule, and will be ready to open in

July. Construction on the boat for

Harrah's St. Louis Riverport in

Maryland Heights has also pro- ceeded on schedule for a late third quarter or early fourth quarter opening.

Lady Luck Chosen As Sole

Operator In Scott City, Mo.

Lady Luck Gaming Corp. has been selected by the City Council of Scott

City, Mo. to be the sole riverboat gaming operator for three years.

Lady Luck Scott City will be a $63 million phased project. Upon receiv- ing required regulatory approvals, the company plans to develop a riverboat casino, entertainment cen- ter and hotel along with a library/ community center. Future plans even include an 18-hole golf course, an athletic complex and an outlet mall. "We continue to be very bull- ish on Missouri despite the failure of the constitutional amendment," saidAndrew Tompkins, chairman of the board. Lady Luck is also moving ahead on its Jefferson

County, Mo. project, as well as the

Scott City one, according to Mr.

Tompkins. Lady Luck Gaming

Corp. develops, owns and operates casinos in Natchez, Tunica,

Coahoma County and Biloxi, Miss., and in Central City, Colo. The com- pany is currently exploring and de- veloping several sites in emerging gaming jurisdictions which include

Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri and

Mississippi.

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June, 1994

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