CASINOS PUT FLOOD PLANS IN EFFECT

Casino Aztar of Caruthersville and Players International Casino at Metropolis, Ill., have put their "flood plans" into effect.

"We're up and running despite the rise in the Mississippi River," Casino Aztar marketing manager Michael J. Facenda said Friday. "We went to our internal flood plan earlier this week to remain open."

"We moved to our high dock recently," said Kim Dirks, public relations manager of Players Casino.

Aztar operates its casino aboard the "City of Caruthersville" riverboat, which operates from a dock in downtown Caruthersville. The Casino Aztar project consists of a 600-passenger riverboat and has been operating since April 28. The new casino operation has been attracting more than 1,700 visitors a day.

Players operates a 1,400-passenger riverboat casino, and this year observed its second anniversary on the Ohio River. According to latest Illinois Gambling Commission report, Players averaged more than 5,000 visitors a day in April.

Both operations have two-hour cruises.

Two Missouri gambling operations, Casino St. Charles and President's Admiral in downtown St. Louis, have shut down operations because of flooding and rising rivers.