Three companies interested in St. Louis casino

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Three companies are expressing interest in opening a casino in St. Louis once the President casino closes this summer.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday that the companies are Isle of Capri Casinos, Casino Celebration and Blue Sky Development Corp.

One of Missouri's 13 casino licenses is up for grabs because Pinnacle Entertainment has agreed to close the aging President on the St. Louis waterfront.

A spokeswoman for the St. Louis Development Corp. says the letters of interest contain no specific plans, but meet the deadline for expressing interest in obtaining the license held by Pinnacle.

The available license does not have to be awarded to a casino in the St. Louis area, but state law allows casinos only on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

The Cape Girardeau city government recently sent a letter of interest to the Missouri Gaming Commission, saying the city is on board with exploring the concept of a casino in Cape Girardeau.

Former mayor Jay Knudtson said recently that a casino company has expressed some level of interest in a Cape Girardeau operation.