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Casino Queen Expects Funding for Expansion

ST. LOUIS, Missouri – As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "The Casino Queen fully expects East St. Louis to hand over the $11 million it promised the boat last month to help build a larger facility, a casino attorney said Thursday. Without the money, the plans to expand are not feasible, he said.

"The city and the Casino Queen are locked in a disagreement over whether East St. Louis is bound by an ordinance the City Council enacted last month to help finance a new casino.

"Mayor Carl E. Officer said that because the ordinance was not approved by a state financial oversight panel, it can be rescinded and a new agreement offered up in its place. But city attorney Michael Wagner sides with the Casino Queen, saying the ordinance is in force and should be honored.

"…Representatives of the Casino Queen showed up at a special City Council meeting Thursday called by Officer to rescind the ordinance. Instead, Officer said he would bring the proposal back before the council June 2 along with an amendment that he said would be more favorable to the boat and the city.

"But Casino Queen attorney Jeff Watson said an agreement is already in place and the boat intends to proceed as if the deal was done…"

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