LADY LUCK RAISES STAKES FOR CITY GAMING LICENSE; CITY ANXIOUS TO BEGIN BOAT SELECTION

Now that two offers are on the table, city officials said Tuesday they are anxious to proceed with the process to select a riverboat gambling operator for Cape Girardeau.

And officials from the competing casino companies -- the Boyd Group and Lady Luck Gaming Corp. -- said they also look forward to the competition.

On Tuesday, City Manager J. Ronald Fischer opened the two gaming companies' proposals, marking the start of the selection process that's slated to culminate March 7 in a city council recommendation for a single gaming license in Cape Girardeau.

"The city's intention is to work with whoever is successful in this process, and treat them like any other corporate citizen," said Fischer. "The city council, I think, is looking forward to this process."

Mayor Gene Rhodes said he would have preferred having additional proposals, but that he anticipates the city will end up with a good operation regardless.

"The key is having more than one so you can compare the two proposals," Rhodes said. "That's been my main concern."

John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, said the proposal by newcomer, Lady Luck, was impressive.

"I think the bottom line is, whoever gets the license, Cape wins in terms of tourism and economic development," he said.

Maunty Collins is senior vice-president and director of operations for the Boyd Group, the company that for the past year has worked with local riverboat gambling proponents to get voter approval of the issue here. Although the Boyd Group was at the fore of the effort since early last year, Collins said he wasn't surprised that another player now is in the game.

"I think Lady Luck or any other company competing with us here only confirms our thoughts about the Cape," he said. "This is a good place to be. This is a very competitive business."

Leah Christopher, a spokesman for Lady Luck, said the company welcomes the competition.

"Competition is good," Christopher said. "I think Cape Girardeau is well-served by a competitive situation to ensure it gets the best proposal possible, as is Lady Luck and the Boyd Group.

"This is not the first time we have not been a front-runner, and we have a good track record of success," she added.

Rob Stillwell, director of public relations for Lady Luck, said the Cape Girardeau proposal would be that company's largest operation.

"We think this is a good market," he said. "We've been in the gaming industry for 30 years, and would be really excited to be part of this community."