President Casino Wins Small Battle In Missouri Court

Pinnacle Entertainment has a major presence in the state of Missouri. They have several casinos in St. Louis, one of which, the President Casino, is being shut down by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

On Wednesday, Pinnacle won an appeal of a Commission ruling last year that would not allow Pinnacle to replace the President Casino without seeking a new license. The Western District Court of Appeals ruled to send the case back to the Commission.

The ruling may, however, have little effect on the future of the President Casino. Earlier this year, the Gaming Commission paved the way to have the casino shut down and strip Pinnacle of the gaming license. Pinnacle has also appealed that ruling.

The President Casino has been struggling financially since the economic recession hit the US. The Admiral riverboat has been home to the casino, but the riverboat has gotten old and the Gaming Commission does not believe it would have passed the next inspection.

Pinnacle, on the other hand, has appealed on the basis of a state law that does not allow a casino to be stripped of its license because of declines in financial stature. The Commission believes they have the authority to strip the license.

The relationship between Pinnacle and the Gaming Commission has been bittersweet. While stripping Pinnacle of one license, the Commission also approved another license for a new casino Pinnacle is opening in the state.

March 4, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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