BOYD, LADY LUCK STILL AWAIT SITE SELECTIONS

Many are afloat, equipped with engines and staffed by full-time pilots.

But nearly half of Missouri's casinos aren't going anywhere.

When Boyd Gaming and Hilton Kansas City open their developments, more than half of the state's riverboat casinos will be land based.

Boyd and Hilton became the fourth and fifth riverboat casino developments to receive approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission for continuous docking privileges, which means they won't have to sail.

The Boyd Gaming Corp. riverboat planned for Kansas City will be capable of cruising but will remain dockside when it opens on the Missouri River this summer.

The Missouri is swift with narrow channels, and the rigors of getting in and out of a docking slip create a safety risk, said Coast Guard Capt. Scott Cooper, commander of the Coast Guard's marine safety office in St. Louis.

The dockside idea is a coming one -- and with more than 15 gaming applications pending it is anybody's guess how many floating casinos will actually cruise.

Three of the operations are land based now: The Admiral, which has no motors, in downtown St. Louis; Harrah's North Star in Kansas City; and the new permanently moored casino next to the riverboat at St. Charles Riverfront Station.

Cruising operations include riverboats at St. Charles, St. Joseph, Caruthersville and Riverside.

Boyd is expected to open its $116 million Kansas City facility in July.

The Gaming Commission, in issuing its dockside ruling this week at Caruthersville, said any continuous operation still must adhere to cruise times for loading and unloading passengers.

Boyd, which is also planning a riverboat and land-based facility at Cape Girardeau, has not applied for continuous docking here, but at least one of the Boyd architects has indicated it could happen.

Work on the Cape Girardeau project is continuing, said Maunty Collins, who was at the commission's meeting in Caruthersville Tuesday. Collins is senior vice president and director of central region operations for Boyd.

Corps of Engineers spokesman Mike Brazier said the Corps has investigated suggested sites for the Boyd development along the Mississippi River 500 to 700 feet north of the Broadway Street floodgate.

"We first investigated a site 500 feet north of the gate," said Brazier. "We sent out public notices concerning the location. Everything hinges on safety. There are no environmental problems with the site."

Following a simulation test aboard a downriver barge in early March, the Industrial River Advisory Committee supported a site about 700 feet north of the Broadway floodgate. The committee is comprised of river industry representatives, including riverboat pilots.

"Boyd officials were disappointed with the second site," said Brazier. "There was a lot of discussion, and we hope to work out a solution. That's where we are at this point. Everybody is looking at different alternatives."

Brazier said one of the alternatives could be a cofferdam surrounding the landing barge.

Once the site selection has been completed, Boyd has only to meet with city officials to finalize a development contract and apply to the state for a gambling license. The latter could be routine once Boyd receives its license for Kansas City. The company is next in line for commission action.

"The Boyd investigation is almost complete," said commission Chairman Robert L. Wolfson.

If Boyd should request continuous docking at Cape Girardeau, the decision would also rest with the commission following hearings and recommendations by the Coast Guard.

Boyd initiated its quest for Cape Girardeau in January 1993, when it announced it would consider a $38.5 million development.

The project was delayed when city voters turned down riverboat gambling in April 1993. It wasn't until seven months later, in November 1993, that voters approved a casino riverboat project during a second election. In January 1994, Lady Luck Gaming Corp. tossed its hat in the Cape Girardeau ring. In March the city selected Boyd to develop a $52.1 million facility in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Lady Luck, meanwhile, looked to Scott City, where it has been selected to develop a $63.2 riverboat project in the Diversion Channel.

Lady Luck, like Boyd, has not signed a site agreement.

Aztar had smoother sailing in its Caruthersville venture. Aztar was named in July 1993 to develop a casino facility. Caruthersville voters approved the casino riverboat idea by a 2-to-1 margin in April 1993.

Aztar becomes the seventh riverboat casino operation in Missouri when it starts cruising today.