Missouri opens search for gambling-license applicants

“The Commission is taking the first step in identifying a process for awarding a casino license in the State,” Executive Director Gene McNary said last week in a statement. “Interested jurisdictions and casino companies should notify the Commission before May 1st, 2010.” The commission isn’t taking applications yet but wants to hear from entities interested in the license who are willing to provide a brief statement on their objectives, he said.

Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment, owner of the President Casino on the Mississippi River at Laclede’s Landing, had battled for months to keep the President open, but said earlier this month it planned to surrender the President’s gaming license under an agreement announced March 10 with the Missouri Gaming Commission. Gaming regulators had been moving to revoke the license due to the casino's declining revenue. The President Casino is set to close by July 1.

Likely to inquire about the available license is North County Development LLC, the group behind the proposed us$ 350 million Riverview Casino near Spanish Lake in north St. Louis County.

The Missouri Gaming Commission said Thursday that it plans to review materials it receives from parties interested in the available license and will then discuss the next steps in the process.

Meanwhile, Pinnacle has decided to focus on its Lumiere Place and River City casinos, the company’s executive vice president and general counsel, Jack Godfrey, told the Business Journal earlier this month.