MOATS FOR BOATS, NO LOCAL VOTE GAMBLING BILL ITEMS

Cape Girardeau may not be required to hold a special local election on the constitutional amendment that would allow games of chance on Missouri riverboats, but voters statewide may still have to go the polls on the slot machine issue.

Any city or county that has passed the local referendum necessary to legalize gambling boats, and did not defeat it later, will not have to vote on that issue again according to one of the changes in a special riverboat gambling bill that received approval of the Missouri General Assembly Thursday.

Another change in the bill, which still needs Gov. Mel Carnahan's signature, and could affect an area gambling casino development, is the regulation that will allow a gambling company to dig a moat for its boat on the shore but limit it to a distance of 1,000 feet from the main river channel.

Missouri voters passed riverboat gambling in 1992, and several communities have approved the issue since then. But the state Supreme Court ruled that only legalized games of skill can be played on the riverboats. Games of chance -- like slots, one of the most lucrative games for casino operations -- can be played only if passed by voters as a constitutional amendment.

Voters rejected the amendment in a close vote last month, but gambling interests are now seeking a manual count of the ballots. If the re-count doesn't change the final tally, gambling interests have already said they would initiate a petition drive calling for another amendment election in November.

"We're taking a wait-and-see approach to the new bill," said Warren Wells, Cape Girardeau city attorney. "We haven't seen the actual wording of the regulation concerning the vote in local communities, and we reserve comment until we have an opportunity to look at the wording of the regulation."

It would be up to the city at that point whether to rely on the statute or conduct another vote, said Wells. Gambling interests in some communities may still want the local vote to prevent any future action against the regulation.

Boyd Gaming Inc., which has been selected by the Cape Girardeau City Council as a gaming operator at Cape Girardeau, also wants a chance to study all aspects of the regulation.

"It's good news that we may not have to have another city election," said Evelyn Boardman, a local Boyd employee. "But Boyd still wants to check everything out. We'd hate to see some challenge to the regulation at a later date."

"It probably will be challenged," said the Rev. Roy Jones, director of missions for the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association. "I understand some of the legislators take exception to the regulation."

Jones said one of his concerns is the possibility that video poker and blackjack games would be scattered over the state. "If it's all right for gambling riverboats now, there will be a way to make it all right in other establishments," said Jones.

Gary Heisel, project coordinator of riverboat gambling sites for Lady Luck in Scott City and New Madrid, doesn't feel that the 1,000-foot rule will bother Lady Luck's plan for a Diversion Channel operation.

"A lot of river people feel that the channel is a part of the Mississippi River," said Heisel. "Our attorneys are looking into this. We're continuing our plans on this premise."

The 1,000-foot limit for docking boats is a compromise for places like Kansas City, where it's unsafe to dock a riverboat directly on the Missouri River, say legislators. Some lawmakers expressed concern that without strict limitations, riverboat gambling could become land-based.

Other changes made by the new bill this week are:

-- In addition to poker and blackjack, games would include craps and video poker and blackjack games.

-- The Gaming Commission can allow any city or county to have more than one gambling boat.

-- Conflict-of-interest provisions that forbid elected or appointed officials and their families from working for gambling boats or having financial interest in gambling companies.