Missouri Gaming Commission chair says comission doesn't have to award casino license

It's an option that no one had really considered, and many still do not see as likely, but the chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission says if he's not convinced that a 13th casino is good for Missouri, he'll vote no.

"Not doing one is an option," said chairman Jim Mathewson, a former state senator from Sedalia. "The law says you can't have more than 13, not that you have to have 13."

Mathewson and the other four state gaming commissioners will be in Cape Girardeau at 1 p.m. Monday for a public hearing at the River Campus. On Tuesday, the commission will travel to the St. Louis area for two hearings and on Wednesday to Kansas City for the last one.

Four developers are jockeying for the 13th license, including Isle of Capri in Cape Girardeau, which the commission is expected to grant by the end of the year, Mathewson said.

If it grants one at all.

Mathewson is waiting for a detailed study being conducted by the state's Department of Economic Development, which is expected to answer questions he has on casino competition factors, economic effect and educational revenue streams. The study is due by the end of October.

"I want to see what the impact is going to be," Mathewson said. "If our study comes out and says we're not really creating jobs, that a new casino would just take money from the existing ones that already have made investments here, what's the point? Why steal from Peter to pay Paul?"

Mayor Harry Rediger, one of the casino's top supporters, said Thursday that the possibility of no one getting the license was news to him.

"We didn't know that was a possibility," he said. "But it's always been indicated to us that the goal was to award the license by the end of the year. I've never heard anything about it not being their intention to do it."

Still, after learning of Mathewson's position, Rediger said he doesn't think it makes sense for the commission not to award the license.

"I can't see it," he said. "I'd think they'd have some backlash from the public. With the downward trend of the economy and jobs being what they are, it was a surprise to me the statement was even made" by Mathewson.

Isle of Capri spokeswoman Jill Haynes said the company understands the decision is up to the commissioners.

"We're glad, however, that the commission is focusing on new revenue, new tourism dollars, new jobs and a positive economic impact," Haynes said. "For all of these reasons, we believe, Cape Girardeau is the ideal location to meet all of these requirements."

In the meantime, Mathewson said, he's gearing up for the public hearing, which will last one hour. About 30 minutes is being set aside for both proponents and opponents, he said, stressing that there will be no presentations from the casino developers.

While some might argue one hour is little time for such a complex issue, Mathewson said it's plenty.

"I want the people of Cape Girardeau to be heard," he said. "But I was in the Senate for a long time. To listen to the same conversation over and over puts me to sleep. We only have so much time."

He suggests that people with like minds appoint a spokesman or spokeswoman. They'll accept petitions as well, he said.

"It's not going to be decided on Monday," he said. "Besides, in Cape Girardeau, you folks are going to vote in November. That's not happening in any of the other sites. After that vote, I'll know exactly how the people of Cape Girardeau feel about a casino."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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