RIVERBOAT COULD BRING IN $3 MILLION

SCOTT CITY -- Scott City is looking forward to a $3 million windfall during the first year's operation of Lady Luck Riverboat Casino, which has been proposed for Scott County.

That doesn't count some land-based facilities that will go along with the Las-Vegas gambling corporation's, three-phase, $65.3 million project.

Lady Luck has proposed the three-phase proposal, which would include a gambling boat, hotel, entertainment center, an outlet mall, 18-hole golf course, athletic complex with tennis courts and a community center and library.

The company has projected that it can have the gambling boat and parking areas off Nash Road near Interstate 55 completed within six months of the Missouri Gaming Commission's awarding a license. Lady Luck expects the entire project to be completed within two and one-half to three years.

"We're looking forward to the project," said John Saxton, Scott City city administrator, recently.

"There are some basic things we'd like to do here, and the influx of additional money will help," said Saxton.

There remains, however, a question on whether a gambling boat can operate in the Diversion Channel. The Missouri Gaming Commission would decide that matter after Lady Luck submits a gambling-license application, noted Kevin Mullally, a deputy director of the gaming commission.

The description of a gaming boat dock and river were explained by Mullally.

"It defines waters eligible for a riverboat casino as waters in the beds and banks of Mississippi and/or Missouri rivers, including pace where river waters spilled."

The dock area is defined in the referendum can be located in any inlet or basin, adjacent to the rivers.

"It also allows for one other specification," said Mullally. "It can be located within 1,000 feet of the river in an artificially channel which was created after the date of the referendum.

The final decision of any location will be up to the Gaming Commission.

If that decision favors Scott City and Lady Luck, some of the expected revenue from the gambling boat will be used for capital improvements to streets, said Saxton. "And our police department has some needs."

Saxon said the police department could use some new vehicles. "We have eight vehicles," he said. "One of them is a dilapidated little truck used by our animal control unit."

Saxton added that one of the big needs was for an animal center. He also wants to change the city's salary structure. "We're kind of lagging on our salaries," he said. "We'll also be looking at some automatic shutoffs for our water system."

Lady Luck projections for the first year of operations are for about $3 million for Scott City.

"That will be based on visitors to the riverboat casino and a percentage of the winnings on the boat," said Leah Christopher, a spokeswoman for Lady Luck.

Christopher, of Tretter-Gorman Inc. public relations firm in St. Louis, broke down the first-year expectation:

-- $1.36 million in admission to the boat, based on $1 per visitor.

-- $1.1 million in revenue based on 2 percent of gaming revenues.

-- $301,228 in property tax increases, and $128,612 additional sales taxes based on new business.

-- $69,000 in additional local taxes during the construction period.

"That adds up to almost $3 million the first year," said Christopher.

In addition to that money, Saxton is excited about some of the land-based projects, particularly a community center and library, which will remain in Scott City even if the riverboat doesn't.

Other land-based development planned for Scott City include a golf course, tennis courts, an athletic complex, and a 200,000-square-foot shopping mall near the casino docking site.

Lady Luck has named three possible sites for its operation, including its preferred site on a parcel east of Rhodes Travel Center on the Diversion Channel, near Nash Road north of Scott City. Other sites are at the end of Route N east of Scott City, and at the head of the Diversion Channel.

Lady Luck Gaming Corp. is still negotiating with the Little River Drainage District to permit a gambling boat to be moored in the district's Diversion Channel.

Lady Luck has promised more than 1,100 jobs with its casino complex.