SOUTHEAST MISSOURI RIVERBOAT GAMBLING FACES CASINO ODDS

Riverboat gambling comes to Southeast Missouri today. At Caruthersville, population 7,400, Aztar Corp. launches its 600-passenger floating casino, which will run eight to 10 cruises daily.

The "City of Caruthersville" becomes the sixth riverboat gambling operating in Missouri. It joins boats in Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis and St. Charles.

Aztar's operation is significant to both Caruthersville and Pemiscot County. When the town's biggest employer, Brown Shoe Co., closed its doors in March 1994, unemployment soared to near 20 percent. About 400 jobs were lost.

The Phoenix-based Aztar arrived shortly thereafter with big promises for the little town. And with speed that has awed Cape Girardeans waiting on Boyd Gaming Corp.'s plans for a riverboat here, Aztar moved quickly to gear up operations.

Caruthersville no doubt welcomes the tourism, but it is the promise of 500 to 700 full-time jobs that will really make the difference for the town. Including the boat, Aztar's total investment in Caruthersville will top $50 million.

The Missouri Gaming Commission boarded the 600-passenger floating casino Tuesday for a shakedown cruise. Approval is expected this morning, with cruises to begin just after noon.

Operations start with not much more than a parking lot and temporary dock. But construction is progressing for a 46,000-square-foot dockside pavilion with a restaurant, bar, gift shop and offices. The target opening is July. A developer also has announced plans to construct a hotel adjacent to the casino property.

Aztar is anticipating a million gamblers a year, with the city's share projected to approach $3 million. And the gambling company has sunk $2.4 million into city street and infrastructure improvements.

No doubt Cape Girardeau will be watching the progress of Casino Aztar with interest to see if promises of revenue and visitors live up to expectations.

Boyd Gaming has proposed two operations in Missouri: a $116 million Sam's Town in Kansas City and a $52.1 million facility at Cape Girardeau. The Boyds hope to gear up Kansas City in July. The company's attentions will then hopefully turn to Cape Girardeau. Boyd Gaming is seeking a docking permit at Cape Girardeau from the Corps of Engineers, with a development and operating contract with the city under negotiation.

Caruthersville may be a good predictor of what riverboat gambling has to offer Southeast Missouri.