BOAT GAMBLING IS A STE. GEN. OPTION

Ste. Genevieve is one of 11 cities and counties in the state that are running local option issues to allow riverboat gambling on the Nov. 3 ballot. If they pass, the local options will take effect only if voters statewide approve Proposition A, which would allow gambling on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

State Rep. Herb Fallert, D-Ste. Genevieve, who sponsored legislation in the House that put the issue on the ballot, said Friday he has not heard much talk about the issue, but is optimistic it will pass.

One of the reasons for his enthusiasm is because of the economic impact riverboat gambling would have through increased tourism in Missouri.

Fallert explained that his hometown already has a good tourism base with its historic homes, and he anticipates riverboat gambling helping to capitalize on that base. "Ste. Genevieve is a historic river town, rich in history," he said.

"This seems to be a good match for us. If there is any possibility to bring tourism to town that could help us, we want to be part of it if the people want it," said Fallert.

Fallert was involved in the issue because of his role as chairman of the House committee that deals with tourism. He said the difference between riverboat gambling in Missouri and other states is that the approach here is to primarily focus on the tourism aspect.

"Missouri really telegraphed where they were coming from by putting it under the Division of Tourism," explained Jack McNamara, who represents the organization promoting Proposition A.

"As a tourism initiative, we feel we will have better control with it," said Fallert.

McNamara said the proposition seems to have good support outstate, which he did not expect. "I think the reason for that is the tax impact could be substantial and it will have a major economic impact."

Other states already have riverboat gambling, but Fallert said that Missouri's law would be a little different from other states. For example, Illinois' law is aimed more at the high-stakes gambler while the Missouri law would be aimed at the recreational player with a limit of $500 in losses per cruise.

"We just don't feel Illinois will hurt Missouri's gambling," said Fallert.

The Missouri law calls for only half of the boat to be used for gambling, with the rest reserved for dining and entertainment. The proposed law also requires that there be an area set aside for children on the boat, where gambling does not occur.

Besides Ste. Genevieve, other cities that have local options on the ballot Nov. 3 are St. Charles, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Parkville, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Counties considering the issue are St. Louis, Buchanan, Jackson, and Jefferson.

Some of the cities and counties already have boats lined up. Others, like Ste. Genevieve, just want to be ready for an opportunity that might come up.

St. Charles has already purchased a boat, pending passage of Proposition A, and developer John Connally of Pittsburgh, who already operates a number of boats, has the Admiral and Belle of St. Louis already in St. Louis.

Fallert and McNamara said there are a number of potential boat operators that would be looking to Missouri. They said that even cities and counties that do not have local options on the ballot would likely attract interest from developers if Proposition A passes by a big margin in their area.

But regardless of what happens in November, Fallert said it will be a while before there is gambling on the state's two major rivers.

"I don't think there's any chance it can be accomplished until mid summer or early fall," said Fallert.

Legislation needs to be passed setting up the regulatory bodies under the Division of Tourism, and licenses will have to be issued to boat owners, operators, vendors and firms that oversee the gambling devices. Fallert said it will take a while to get all that in place.

McNamara said, "The Missouri law puts the burden on the applicant for the license to prove they are good citizens."

One opposition group has been formed. It is based in St. Louis and calls itself the Coalition Against Riverboat Gambling and Organized Crime.

McNamara said the name of the group is only an effort to scare people. He said that organized crime is not a problem with riverboat gambling. For one reason the stakes are not high enough, and another reason is that funds are applied to improve riverfronts and downtown areas that are often subject to high crime before, he said.

"When employment goes up, crime goes down," he said. "When you light up a downtown waterfront and have activity like this, crime goes down."

He said that Rock Island, Ill., has had a 15 percent decrease in its crime rate since riverboat gambling was enacted. Other cities in Iowa have had a similar experience, he said.