OPPOSITION PLANNED FOR BOATS IN MOATS

Boyd Gaming Corp.'s Sam's Town casino in Kansas City is the first casualty of Missouri's riverboat gambling industry. Although it is on the Missouri River and was in no danger of losing its slot machines, unlike boats in moats, the casino couldn't recoup its hefty investment, nor could it operate profitably in a crowded market.

Along with gambling's contributions to education, the riverboats are likely to point to this failure as proof that Missouri needs fewer gaming restrictions as well as approval in November from voters for slot machines on boats in moats.

There will be opposition. Anti-gambling groups that have fought most of the changes in gambling operations so far are being joined by church groups as well. At its annual conference, United Methodist churches voted to oppose the boats-in-moats issue. They are likely to be joined by others as this year's election campaign heats up.