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East St. Louis Casino Queen Plans Expansion

ST. LOUIS, Missouri – As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "The Casino Queen plans to start construction this summer on a larger casino with more amenities to replace its riverboat before a competitor enters the market across the river on Laclede's Landing.

"The East St. Louis casino plans a $150 million facility that would be built on the 80 acres it currently owns, creating the largest development project in at least 50 years for the beleaguered city. The first phase -- which will cost about $60 million -- includes a boat in a moat to be built in the casino's parking lot, southeast of the riverboat and its 157-room hotel.

"'With the new facility, we can go head-to-head' with the Missouri casinos, said Jeff Watson, an attorney for the Casino Queen, who outlined the proposal Monday night at the first of a series of public hearings.

"…Among its competitors is Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., which plans to start construction this year on a $250 million casino in St. Louis that will open in early 2007.

"…Last month, the Casino Queen won $14.5 million from gamblers compared to $24.5 million at Ameristar, $23.4 million at Harrah's and $5.87 million at President Casino…"

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