GAMBLING BOAT ARRIVES IN ILLINOIS; OPERATIONS AWAIT COMMISSION'S NOD

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Amidst the sounds of towboat horns, a Dixieland jazz band, and accolades from state and city officials, the first riverboat gambling casino in Southern Illinois arrived Saturday at Metropolis.

Veteran pilot, Capt. Charles "Ken" Murphy, guided the 210-foot, 1,400-passenger vessel into the Merv Griffin Riverboat Landing at noon, giving more than 2,500 people gathered at the river their first view of the Players Riverboat Casino. It will start operations as soon as the Illinois Gaming Commission gives its nod of approval.

"I've delivered a lot of speeches and talked to a lot of people in developing this project," said David Fishman, vice president of Players International and president of Players Riverboat Casino, during a media briefing. "This is the first time I am at a loss for words. This is a very exciting moment in my life."

Fishman said that the Players International Inc. complex not only provides a riverboat gambling casino but a full entertainment center for the area.

"This center will have a big impact not only on Metropolis but on the entire region of Southern Illinois, West Kentucky and Southeast Missouri," Fishman predicted.

Sen. Jim Rea of Christopher, a legislator from the 59th District in Southern Illinois, agreed.

"This project means a lot to the region," he said. "You have only to drive through Metropolis to see the economic impact already under way under way."

That impact includes a new 62-room motel just off Interstate 24, at least two new restaurants, and other small businesses.

"Opening of the casino will mean more than 600 new jobs in the area," said Rea. "It will provide a total annual payroll of more than $12 million to the local economy."

Gov. Jim Edgar was schedule to appear at the Saturday event but had to cancel.

Gary Kidd, who owns radio stations in Metropolis, Paducah and Reidland, Ky., and also serves as president of the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce, is optimistic about the new operation.

"This is the economic shot in the arm that Metropolis needed," said Kidd. "We have been working on so many things which eluded us. Briggs & Stratton looked here, but went to Poplar Bluff, Mo., and another group looked at us but failed to locate here.

"When I first met with David Fishman, I was impressed," added Kidd. "As things went along, a lot of Metropolis pessimism started turning to optimism. Today all that optimism becomes a reality."

Construction of the Players Riverboat Casino was completed at a shipyard in Jennings, La., more than a week ago. With high waters in the Mississippi River, the towering smokestacks had to be removed for the trip north so the vessel could clear certain bridges along the route.

"We transported the smokestacks on the top deck," said the captain of the vessel. "We stopped at Cairo, Ill., to have them put back on."

When the casino pulled into Merv Griffin Landing Saturday, it contained only a crew, two captains Murphy and Don J. Sanders, who will take turns at piloting the big vessel on its three-hour cruises and three decks of casinos featuring about 650 slot machines and 35 tables for blackjack, craps, roulette, Big Six and live poker. In addition, each deck contains a video poker pub.

"People may choose from a variety of slots," said Fishman. "They range from nickel, quarter, dollar to $5, $25 and $100. This is our first venture into riverboat casino gaming."

Players International Inc. is a public company serving people interested in gaming through a variety of service companies and affiliates. The company operates Players Clubs, providing VIP privileges and discounts on rooms, meals and entertainment in casinos and resorts worldwide. The company also includes a world travel service designed exclusively to service Players Club members and gaming enthusiasts.

In 1989, Player International Inc. started managing cruise ship casinos. The Players Riverboat Casino at Metropolis is the company's first venture into riverboat casino gaming.

"We're optimistic," said Fishman. "We're expecting up to a million customers during the first year. We're hoping we will be pleasantly surprised and attract even more than that."

Fishman said traffic in two riverfront restaurants at Merv Griffin's Riverboat Landing has been good.

"The restaurant opened Jan. 26," said Fishman. "When the casino opens, we anticipate a very successful operation on all fronts."

Fishman said Illinois Gaming Board officials are expected to begin their inspections on Monday.

"They could give us an okay Monday, or they could give us an okay in two weeks or so. We don't know," said Fishman. "We're ready to start as soon as we get the okay."

Fishman said he expected no problems concerning the Kentukcy-Illinois river border dispute.

The anticipated "grand opening" date is March 13. Merv Griffin will attend that event.