ILLIINOIS BOATS BOON TO STATE

The roll of the dice, luck of the draw and spin of the reel slot machines have proven a revenue boon for Illinois during its 3 1/2 years of riverboat gambling.

Cruising riverboat gambling started in Illinois with one boat plying the Mississippi River from a dock in Alton in September 1991. Since then, boats have started running from a number of sites along the Mississippi, Ohio and Illinois rivers.

Illinois Gaming Board officials report that its 10 floating casinos have been a success. The first eight months of operation, from September 1991 to May 1992, the three casinos raked in more than $9 million for the state and local governments.

Before Illinois lawmakers legalized waterway wagering, experts had estimated the state would earn $3 to $15 million annually in floating casino revenues. The success of riverboat gambling has far outstripped those projections.

With 10 casinos in operation, the state receives that much or more every month.

The Illinois boats earned $15,015,603 in tax money for the state in December and $6.2 million for local governments.

"They've been more successful than anyone thought," said a spokesman from the Illinois Gaming Commission Friday.

During the 12-month period from December 1993, through November, the operations reported cumulative totals of $958,827,875 in the gross win category. That translates into $163.6 million for the state and $67.8 million for local governments in the 10 areas.

The Illinois operations, which require "cruises," has been a smooth one say officials.

"We have been pleased with the overall operation," said Eric Robinson, a spokesman from Gov. Jim Edgar's office. "Gov. Edgar likes the idea of `cruising' boats."

The riverboat experience is more than just the gambling, officials say. They provide an opportunity for a river excursion, and some operations provide land-based entertainment at their docking facilities.

Some changes to Illinois gaming laws may be requested during the legislative session this year.

Some operators want an amendment to erase mandates that riverboats must cruise. Another proposal likely to emerge in the legislature is that of Chicago interests seeking approval for a casino license.

Riverboat casinos in Iowa and the two casinos in the St. Louis metropolitan area -- the Admiral in downtown St. Louis and a Casino St. Charles operation -- have received permission to operate dockside.

This places the Casino Queen, docked across the Mississippi River from the Admiral, at a disadvantage says Craig Travers, general manager of the East St. Louis operation.

"Obviously, with dockside gaming at the Admiral (which added reel slots Dec. 7) we're at a disadvantage," Travers said. "We are finding ourselves on a playing field that is not level."

But, unless the rules are changed the Casino Queen will continue to cruise, Travers said, adding that the Queen's December figures were good.

"We didn't notice that much difference during the first month of reel slots across the river," he said. "Our December figures were good. It may take a full quarter before we can see any noticeable changes."

Missouri's five boats were limited to table games until a vote of the people Nov. 7 allowed the state's casinos to add the reel slots.

The Alton Belle's December totals were down slightly from November figures. The Belle, across the river at Alton, had a casino win of $7.4 million in November. It reported a $6.5 million win total in December.

Meanwhile, Illinois riverboats across from Iowa also face "cruising vs. dockside" competition. Iowa riverboat casinos, which previously cruised and had a $250 limit per cruise, now cruise and the limit no longer exists.

Players Riverboat Casino at Metropolis has no dockside competition, but company officials say that a dockside operation would be beneficial to most casinos.

"There would be a savings in the cost of insurance and operations," said Shakir N. Ahmed, vice president of marketing at Players. "But more important would be the service for our customers." He explained that if a customer is a few minutes late now, and misses the cruising boat, he has to wait three hours before he can catch the next cruise."

The Metropolis operation provides the city with from $350,000 to $400,000 a month in local revenues.

Chicago leaders are expected to push for an increase in the number of riverboats in the state.

Despite having a big population base, the city doesn't have a riverboat in the immediate metropolitan area.

Robinson addresses the governor's feelings on this.

"When licenses were originally awarded, a portion of the state was excluded from applying," he said. "That included Cook County and Lake Michigan."

Robinson said Edgar would not ask for any legislation to push for more casinos, but would take a look at the issue if it came up.

"But, he believes that if gambling is to be expanded, it should be only for the part of the state that was excluded before," Robinson said.