1

 

 

 

          1             BEFORE THE MISSOURI GAMING COMMISSION

                                  STATE OF MISSOURI

          2  

 

          3  

 

          4  

 

          5                            MEETING

 

          6                   TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS

 

          7  

 

          8                        January 16, 2008

 

          9                           10:00 a.m.

 

         10                  Department of Transportation

 

         11               105 West Capitol Avenue, Room 100

 

         12                    Jefferson City, Missouri

 

         13  

 

         14  

              COMMISSIONERS

         15   PRESENT:           Chairman Noel Shull

                                 Commissioner Suzanne B. Bradley

         16                      Commissioner Samuel J. Hais

                                 Commissioner Darryl Jones

         17                      Commissioner Larry W. Plunkett, Sr.

 

         18  

 

         19   REPORTED BY:       Monnie S. VanZant, CCR, CSR, RPR

                                 Midwest Litigation Services

         20                      3432 W. Truman Boulevard, Suite 207

                                 Jefferson City, MO  65109

         21                      (573) 636-7551

 

         22  

 

         23  

 

         24  

 

         25  

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        2

 

 

 

          1                   TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS

 

          2             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Good morning.  Welcome to the

 

          3   Missouri Gaming Commission's meeting.  We would like to

 

          4   thank the Department of Transportation for providing this

 

          5   facility to us while we have some rehabilitation going on

 

          6   in the Commission offices.  And we'd like to go ahead and

 

          7   proceed.  Would you call the roll, please?

 

          8             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          9             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Present.

 

         10             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         11             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Present.

 

         12             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         13             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Present.

 

         14             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         15             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Present.

 

         16             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         17             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Present.

 

         18             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  The first item will be the

 

         19   consideration of the minutes of the last meeting.

 

         20             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  I make a motion we

 

         21   approve the minutes of November 28th, 2007.

 

         22             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Second.

 

         23             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's been made and

 

         24   seconded.  Is there any further discussion?

 

         25             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Call the roll, please.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        3

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          2             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

          4             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

          5             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

          6             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

          7             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

          8             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

          9             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         10             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         11             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted the

 

         12   minutes of the November 28, 2007, meeting.

 

         13             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  The first item for

 

         14   consideration would be disciplinary actions.  Mr. McNary,

 

         15   would you like to go ahead and proceed?

 

         16             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman and Commissioners,

 

         17   first of all, a couple points.  I want to commend the

 

         18   Chairman for being here and showing the importance of this

 

         19   meeting because he drove last night to Springfield and

 

         20   then drove back in order to preside over the Commission

 

         21   meeting today.  And on behalf of the Staff, we appreciate

 

         22   your commitment and dedication.

 

         23             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Thank you.

 

         24             MR. MCNARY:  Secondly, you're stuck with me as

 

         25   acting General Counsel on these disciplines.  It -- I'll

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        4

 

 

 

          1   have a disclaimer to begin with.  If there's something

 

          2   that I don't know, it's not my fault.  Directing your

 

          3   attention to --

 

          4             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  We've known that for years.

 

          5             MR. MCNARY:  -- to Tab C, Disciplinary Complaint

 

          6   No. DC-08-002, concerning Class A licensee, Isle of Capri,

 

          7   Boonville.  Violations alleged fall under 11 CSR

 

          8   45-10.030, Section 4, failure of a licensee to safeguard

 

          9   from loss the gaming assets.

 

         10             The facts supporting the alleged violations are

 

         11   as follows:  On August 11th, 2007, MGC agent was notified

 

         12   by the casino surveillance that 30,000 in casino funds

 

         13   were left unsecured in an unlocked drawer in the casino's

 

         14   main cashier cage.  The funds were left unsecured for six

 

         15   minutes.

 

         16             As a result of these factual allegations, Staff

 

         17   recommends that the Commission propose a $5,000 fine.

 

         18             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for

 

         19   Mr. McNary?  Is there a motion?

 

         20             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Mr. Chairman, I'd move that

 

         21   DC-08-002 be approved.

 

         22             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Second.

 

         23             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's been made and

 

         24   seconded.  Is there any further discussion?  Call the

 

         25   roll, please.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        5

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          2             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

          4             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

          5             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

          6             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

          7             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

          8             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

          9             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         10             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         11             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         12   DC-08-002.

 

         13             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, directing your

 

         14   attention to Tab D, this is a Disciplinary Complaint

 

         15   08-003 concerning Class A licensee, Isle of Capri,

 

         16   Caruthersville.

 

         17             The violations fall under 11 CSR 45-10.030,

 

         18   Section 4, failure to safeguard from loss all gaming

 

         19   assets as well as minimum internal controls, Chapter A,

 

         20   1.10.  Each employer shall ensure that employees before

 

         21   performing the duties of their job are adequately trained

 

         22   as to their specific job functions.

 

         23             The facts supporting the alleged violations are

 

         24   as follows:  On July 31st, 2007, surveillance notified MGC

 

         25   that Dealer McFarland, while dealing a game of 21 and 3

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        6

 

 

 

          1   committed multiple violations that resulted in a loss to

 

          2   the casino of $3,451.

 

          3             The investigation revealed this was the first

 

          4   time that McFarland had dealt the game.  At the time, she

 

          5   was being supervised by the pit manager, a floor

 

          6   supervisor and a dual rate supervisor.

 

          7             The investigation showed that none of those

 

          8   persons directly supervised McFarland and that the casino

 

          9   could not provide documentation showing that McFarland had

 

         10   been adequately trained at the game of 21 plus 3.

 

         11             As a result of these factual allegations, the

 

         12   Staff recommends that the Commission propose a $10,000

 

         13   fine.

 

         14             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for

 

         15   Mr. McNary?  Is there a motion?

 

         16             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  May I ask a question?

 

         17             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Yes.

 

         18             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  What, if any, action, was

 

         19   taken about the -- with the dealer, McFarland?  I think

 

         20   the allegations are she was not trained, but then anything

 

         21   -- any subsequent action?

 

         22             MR. MCNARY:  Commissioner, McFarland was

 

         23   suspended for one day for continuing to -- to deal while

 

         24   she was losing assets.  The dual rate supervisor was

 

         25   suspended for two days.  The floor supervisor was

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        7

 

 

 

          1   suspended for three days.  And the pit manager was

 

          2   suspended for two days.

 

          3             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Any other questions?  Is there

 

          4   a motion?

 

          5             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Move for acceptance of

 

          6   DC-08-003.

 

          7             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Second.

 

          8             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Is there further discussion?

 

          9   Call the roll, please.

 

         10             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         11             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         12             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         13             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         14             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         15             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         16             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         17             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

         18             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         19             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         20             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         21   DC-08-003.

 

         22             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, next item, Tab E, is

 

         23   Disciplinary Complaint No. 08-004 concerning Class A

 

         24   licensee, Isle of Capri, Caruthersville.

 

         25             Violations alleged fall under 11 CSR 45.12.090,

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        8

 

 

 

          1   Section 10-A.  No advertisement of intoxicating liquors

 

          2   shall contain any statement offering below cost or at a

 

          3   discount as an inducement to purchase intoxicating liquor.

 

          4             The facts supporting the alleged violations are

 

          5   as follows:  On August 23rd, '07, MGC gaming enforcement

 

          6   manager investigated a complaint about a flyer mailed by

 

          7   the licensee.  Upon viewing the flyer, it observed -- he

 

          8   observed an advertisement for discounted prices on drinks

 

          9   with intoxicating liquors.

 

         10             Sports bar operates under a liquor license

 

         11   issued by MGC.  As a result of these factual allegations,

 

         12   Staff recommended that the Commission propose a $7,500

 

         13   fine.

 

         14             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Thank you.  Are there any

 

         15   questions for Mr. McNary?  Is there a motion?

 

         16             COMISSIONER HAIS:  Chairman, I would move that

 

         17   DC-08-004 be approved.

 

         18             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Second.

 

         19             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.

 

         20   Any further discussion?  Hearing none, call the roll,

 

         21   please.

 

         22             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         23             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         24             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         25             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        9

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

          2             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

          4             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

          5             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

          6             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

          7             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

          8   DC-08-004.

 

          9             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, Agenda Item 4 is

 

         10   consideration of settlement agreements.  I direct your

 

         11   attention to Tab F and Commission Resolution No. 08-001

 

         12   regarding a settlement agreement and waiver of hearings

 

         13   concerning licensee Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, Inc.

 

         14   and underlying disciplinary matter 07-370.

 

         15             And that matter, the Commission issued a $10,000

 

         16   fine after hearing facts alleging that the casino had 70

 

         17   tip boxes that were not secured to their tables.

 

         18             After the Commission issued the fine, the

 

         19   licensee contacted the Commission and assumed

 

         20   responsibility.  The licensee and the Commission engaged

 

         21   in settlement negotiations, and pending Commission

 

         22   approval, agreed to settle the matter for $9,000.

 

         23             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for

 

         24   Mr. McNary?  Is there a motion?

 

         25             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Make a motion we approve

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       10

 

 

 

          1   Resolution 08-001.

 

          2             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Second.

 

          3             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.

 

          4   Any further discussion?  Hearing none, call the roll,

 

          5   please.

 

          6             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          7             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

          8             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

          9             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         10             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         11             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         12             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         13             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approved.

 

         14             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         15             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         16             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         17   Resolution No. 08-001.

 

         18             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, Tab G concerns

 

         19   Commission Resolution No. 08-002 regarding settlement

 

         20   agreement and waiver of hearings concerning licensee

 

         21   Harrah's North Kansas City, LLC, and underlying

 

         22   disciplinary matter 07-372.

 

         23             In that matter, the Commissioner issued a

 

         24   $10,000 fine after hearing facts alleging that the casino

 

         25   gift shop was selling uncanceled casino dice.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       11

 

 

 

          1             After the Commission issued this fine, the

 

          2   licensee contacted the Commission and assumed

 

          3   responsibility.  The licensee and the Commission engaged

 

          4   in settlement negotiations, and pending Commission

 

          5   approval, agreed to settle the matter for $9,000.

 

          6             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions?  Is

 

          7   there a motion?

 

          8             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Motion to approve

 

          9   Commission Resolution No. 08-002.

 

         10             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Second.

 

         11             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.  Is

 

         12   there any further discussion?  Call the roll, please.

 

         13             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         14             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         15             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         16             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         17             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         18             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         19             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         20             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

         21             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         22             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         23             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         24   Resolution No. 08-002.

 

         25             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, Tab H relates to

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       12

 

 

 

          1   Commission Resolution No. 08-003 regarding settlement

 

          2   agreement, waiver of hearings concerning licensee Isle of

 

          3   Capri Boonville and underlying disciplinary matter 07-373.

 

          4             In that matter, the Commission issued a $50,000

 

          5   fine after hearing facts alleging that the casino

 

          6   employees, including supervisors, knowing of a

 

          7   malfunctioning liquor gun, had failed to correct the

 

          8   malfunction.

 

          9             This resulted in a patron being served large

 

         10   amounts of alcohol to the point of severe intoxication.

 

         11   Upon issuance of this fine, the licensee contacted the

 

         12   Commission and assumed responsibility.  The licensee and

 

         13   the Commission engaged in settlement negotiations, and

 

         14   pending Commission approval, agreed to a settlement in the

 

         15   matter for $45,000.

 

         16             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Any questions for Mr. McNary?

 

         17   Is there a motion?

 

         18             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Mr. Chairman, I move that

 

         19   Commission Resolution 08-003 be approved.

 

         20             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Second.

 

         21             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.  Is

 

         22   there any further discussion?  Hearing none, call the

 

         23   roll, please.

 

         24             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         25             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       13

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

          2             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

          4             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

          5             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

          6             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

          7             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

          8             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

          9             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         10   Resolution No. 08-003.

 

         11             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, I direct your

 

         12   attention to Tab I, Commission Resolution No. 08-004

 

         13   regarding settlement agreement and waiver of hearings

 

         14   concerning licensee Isle of Capri Caruthersville, Inc.,

 

         15   and underlying disciplinary matter 07-374.

 

         16             In that matter, the Commission issued a $5,000

 

         17   fine after hearing facts alleging that an under-aged

 

         18   patron was served alcohol at a casino bar.  After the

 

         19   Commission issued this fine, the licensee contacted the

 

         20   Commission and took responsibility for their actions.

 

         21             The licensee and the Commission engaged in

 

         22   settlement negotiations, and pending Commission approval,

 

         23   agreed to settle the matter for $4,500.

 

         24             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for

 

         25   Mr. McNary?  Is there a motion?

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       14

 

 

 

          1             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Motion to approve

 

          2   Commission Resolution No. 08-004.

 

          3             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Second.

 

          4             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.  Is

 

          5   there a further discussion?  Hearing none, call the roll.

 

          6             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          7             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

          8             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

          9             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         10             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         11             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         12             MS. FRANKS; commissioner Plunkett?

 

         13             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

         14             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         15             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         16             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         17   Resolution No. 08-004.

 

         18             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, with the Commission's

 

         19   approval, we would ask to defer Item J until the next

 

         20   meeting.

 

         21             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Thank you.  Please proceed.

 

         22             MR. MCNARY:  Item K, Commission Resolution No.

 

         23   08-006 regarding settlement agreement and waiver of

 

         24   hearings concerning licensee Missouri Gaming Company,

 

         25   doing business as Argosy Riverside Casino and underlying

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       15

 

 

 

          1   Disciplinary Matter 07-376.

 

          2             In that matter, the Commission issued a $5,000

 

          3   fine after hearing facts alleging that the casino failed

 

          4   to empty token buckets from several slot machines during

 

          5   their conversion to ticket in, ticket out play.

 

          6             After issuance of this fine, the licensee

 

          7   assumed responsibility.  The licensee and the Commission

 

          8   engaged in settlement negotiations, and pending Commission

 

          9   approval, agreed to settle the matter for $4,500.

 

         10             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for

 

         11   Mr. McNary?  Is there a motion?

 

         12             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Make a motion we approve

 

         13   Resolution 08-006.

 

         14             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Second.

 

         15             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's been made and

 

         16   seconded.  Is there any further discussion?  Hearing none,

 

         17   call the roll, please.

 

         18             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         19             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         20             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         21             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         22             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         23             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         24             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         25             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       16

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

          2             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

          4   Resolution No. 08-006.

 

          5             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  We can look back at 08-005, if

 

          6   there is anyone here that does object to deferring that to

 

          7   the February meeting.  Seeing none, please proceed.  Thank

 

          8   you.

 

          9             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, the next item on the

 

         10   agenda will be Item 5, and this will be consideration of

 

         11   dismissal of disciplinary actions.  And Legal Counsel,

 

         12   Dave Welch, will defend those matters.

 

         13             MR. WELCH:  Mr. Chairman, members of the

 

         14   Commission, I would direct your attention to Resolution

 

         15   08-007 relating to Disciplinary Matter DC-07-147.  My

 

         16   explanation will deal with both No. 147 and 07-154 as they

 

         17   are related cases.

 

         18             These cases relate to the Isle of Capri

 

         19   Boonville.  There was a -- thought to be the lack of

 

         20   security for an after fight party, an event they were

 

         21   hosting.

 

         22             After reviewing the surveillance tapes of the

 

         23   incident, interviewing people from the Isle of Capri and

 

         24   interviewing members of the Missouri Highway Patrol who

 

         25   were on duty that evening, the General Counsel has

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       17

 

 

 

          1   concluded that both of these cases should be dismissed for

 

          2   lack of evidence and mitigating circumstances.

 

          3   Therefore, I would ask the approval of Resolution Number

 

          4   08-007.

 

          5             MR. MCNARY:  May it please the Court, I think --

 

          6             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  HGI-St. Jo, Inc.

 

          7             MR. MCNARY:  It's St. Joe rather than Isle of

 

          8   Capri.

 

          9             MR. WELCH:  Okay.  I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.

 

         10             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions?  Is

 

         11   there a motion?

 

         12             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Make a motion to approve

 

         13   Resolution No. 08-007.

 

         14             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Second.

 

         15             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.  Is

 

         16   there any further discussion?  Hearing none, call the

 

         17   roll, please.

 

         18             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         19             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         20             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         21             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         22             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         23             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         24             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         25             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       18

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

          2             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

          4   Resolution No. 08-007.

 

          5             MR. WELCH:  Based upon the same -- same reasons,

 

          6   we'd ask your adoption of Resolution No. 08-008.  The

 

          7   first one -- the first resolution dealt with an

 

          8   individual.  This resolution deals with the Class A

 

          9   licensee.

 

         10             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for Mr.

 

         11   Welch?  Is there a motion?

 

         12             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Move the adoption of

 

         13   Commission Resolution 08-008.

 

         14             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Second.

 

         15             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.  Is

 

         16   there any further discussion?  Hearing none, call the

 

         17   roll, please.

 

         18             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         19             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         20             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         21             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         22             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         23             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         24             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         25             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       19

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

          2             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

          4   Resolution No. 08-008.

 

          5             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, Item 6 on the agenda

 

          6   concerns Commission directive to staff to contact the

 

          7   Missouri Gaming Association with regard to political

 

          8   contributions.  And we did so.  Legal counsel and Dave

 

          9   Welch will address that in their response.

 

         10             MR. WELCH:  We contacted Mr. Mike Winter, the

 

         11   Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Association and

 

         12   discussed with him the possibility of moving forward with

 

         13   a voluntary ban on political contributions by the gaming

 

         14   industry and those associated with it.

 

         15             He in turn he would contact his membership,

 

         16   after which he again contacted me.  He indicated that the

 

         17   association members were opposed to such a voluntary ban.

 

         18   They thought it was important that they maintain the

 

         19   constitutional prerogatives guaranteed under the First

 

         20   Amendment in Beckley versus Valeel (ph.) in order to

 

         21   participate actively in the political process, and that

 

         22   unless there was such a ban instituted by Legislation, by

 

         23   the State Legislature, that his members were inclined to

 

         24   continue to participate in the political process unless

 

         25   such a ban would be instituted against all businesses

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       20

 

 

 

          1   doing business in the State of Missouri.

 

          2             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for

 

          3   Mr. Welch?

 

          4             MR. WELCH:  Thank you.

 

          5             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Thank you.

 

          6             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, the next item on the

 

          7   agenda, Item 7 is consideration of licensure of a -- of

 

          8   certain Level 1 key applicants.  And Lieutenant Rex Scism

 

          9   will make that presentation.

 

         10             MR. SCISM:  Thank you.  Mr. Chairman,

 

         11   Commissioners, the Missouri State Highway Patrol

 

         12   investigators, along with Gaming Commission Financial

 

         13   Investigators conducted background investigations on

 

         14   multiple key person and Level 1 applicants.

 

         15             The investigations included, but were not

 

         16   limited to, criminal, financial and general character

 

         17   inquiries which were made in the jurisdictions where the

 

         18   applicants lived, worked and frequented.

 

         19             The following individuals are being presented

 

         20   for your consideration:  John M Boushy, CEO and President,

 

         21   Ameristar Casinos; Todd E. Greenberg, Vice President of

 

         22   Operations, Ameristar Casinos; Michael J. Silberling,

 

         23   President, Midwest Region, Harrah's Entertainment; Richard

 

         24   L. Skinner, Vice President of Finance, Harrah's North

 

         25   Kansas City; and Daniel P. Boudreaux, Chief Accounting

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       21

 

 

 

          1   Officer, Pinnacle Entertainment.

 

          2             The results of all investigations were provided

 

          3   to the Gaming Commission staff for their review and of

 

          4   summary reports for all the applicants being considered.

 

          5   At this time, I would be happy to answer any questions.

 

          6             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions?

 

          7             MR. SCISM:  Thank you.

 

          8             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, Staff recommended

 

          9   licensure.

 

         10             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Thank you.  Is there a motion

 

         11   to approve?

 

         12             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Motion to approve

 

         13   Resolution 08-009.

 

         14             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Second.

 

         15             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's been made and

 

         16   seconded.  Is there any further discussion?  Hearing none,

 

         17   call the roll, please.

 

         18             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         19             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         20             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         21             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         22             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         23             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         24             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         25             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       22

 

 

 

          1             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

          2             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

          3             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

          4   Resolution No. 08-009.

 

          5             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, Item 8 on the agenda,

 

          6   consideration of relicensure of certain suppliers, will be

 

          7   handled by Lieutenant Rex Scism.

 

          8             MR. SCISM:  Cursory Federal and State tax

 

          9   reviews have been conducted in conjunction with the

 

         10   relicensing of two Missouri casino supplier companies.

 

         11   And the following companies are being presented for your

 

         12   consideration:  United States Playing Card Company,

 

         13   Cincinnati, Ohio.  No issues were discovered during the

 

         14   aforementioned review.

 

         15             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions?  Is

 

         16   there a motion?

 

         17             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Motion to approve

 

         18   Resolution No. 08-010.

 

         19             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Second.

 

         20             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's made and seconded.  Is

 

         21   there any further discussion?

 

         22             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  I just have a question.

 

         23             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Okay.

 

         24             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  It says effective January

 

         25   25th.  And I just know sometimes -- why wouldn't it be

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       23

 

 

 

          1   effective today?  Is there a reason it's --

 

          2             MR. SCISM:  It's a relicensure.  That's when

 

          3   their license actually is coming to --

 

          4             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  That's when the license

 

          5   actually expires.  Thank you.

 

          6             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Call the roll, please.

 

          7             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          8             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

          9             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         10             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         11             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         12             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         13             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         14             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

         15             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         16             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         17             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         18   Resolution No. 08-010.

 

         19             MR. MCNARY:  Mr. Chairman, Item 9 on the agenda

 

         20   is presentation of the market study that has been recently

 

         21   completed.

 

         22             COMMISSIONER JONES:  We missed P.

 

         23             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  P.

 

         24             MR. MCNARY:  Where are we at?  Oh, I'm sorry.

 

         25   We have Item P still being done.  Sorry, Rex.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       24

 

 

 

          1             MR. SCISM:  That's okay.  The next supplier

 

          2   company for relicensure to be considered is Konami Gaming,

 

          3   Las Vegas, Nevada.  And, again, no issues were discovered

 

          4   during the review of that company.

 

          5             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions?  Is

 

          6   there a motion to approve?

 

          7             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Motion to approve

 

          8   Resolution No. 08-011.

 

          9             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Second.

 

         10             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's been made and

 

         11   seconded.  Is there any further discussion?  Hearing none,

 

         12   call the roll, please.

 

         13             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

         14             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

         15             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         16             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         17             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         18             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         19             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         20             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

         21             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         22             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         23             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         24   Resolution No. 0 -- 08-011.

 

         25             MR. MCNARY:  I thought we were moving through

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       25

 

 

 

          1   this agenda too fast, and we were.  Item No. 9 is

 

          2   presentation of the market study.  We recommend it be

 

          3   received and filed.  It has been distributed to the

 

          4   Commission, and copies are available to the press and

 

          5   public.

 

          6             Leann McCarthy, Public Information Officer, has

 

          7   those copies.  And it should be digested and absorbed and

 

          8   used as a reference for decisions to be made in the

 

          9   future.

 

         10             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Thank you.

 

         11             MR. MCNARY:  Item 10, consideration of

 

         12   resolution to establish time line for consideration of a

 

         13   new casino will be addressed by legal counsel, Dave Welch.

 

         14             MR. WELCH:  Resolution No. 08-012 is a result of

 

         15   an application for a Class A license in the Sugar Creek

 

         16   area by Wild Rose Casino.  We believe that it is important

 

         17   to establish a procedure for reviewing applications and

 

         18   making decisions.

 

         19             That's what this resolution does.  It sets out a

 

         20   time line and gives the staff direction.  It asks that the

 

         21   -- any other interested party in applying for a Class A

 

         22   license in the Sugar Creek area do so within the next 45

 

         23   days.

 

         24             It further directs staff to investigate whether

 

         25   or not a casino in the Sugar Creek area would be in the

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       26

 

 

 

          1   best interest of the State of Missouri and report back to

 

          2   the Commission on that matter at the next Commission

 

          3   meeting.

 

          4             It further directs that the staff investigate

 

          5   any applications that are received and report at the March

 

          6   Commission meeting as to -- at the March Commission

 

          7   meeting or as soon thereafter as possible whether or not

 

          8   any of these applicants should be chosen for priority

 

          9   investigation.

 

         10             MR. MCNARY:  Staff recommends passage of the

 

         11   resolution.

 

         12             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there any questions for

 

         13   Mr. Welch?

 

         14             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Yeah.  I have a question.

 

         15   Do we consider licenses all the way up to December, or is

 

         16   there a shut-off time where applications throughout the

 

         17   state that we would just say, this is the -- this is the

 

         18   drop-dead date for all applications wherever they may be

 

         19   in the state?

 

         20             MR. WELCH:  This resolution only applies to the

 

         21   Sugar Creek area.

 

         22             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Right.  Right.

 

         23             MR. WELCH:  As far as what we will do in the

 

         24   future, we see this as a guideline for future

 

         25   applications.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       27

 

 

 

          1             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Okay.

 

          2             MR. WELCH:  Right now, we don't have

 

          3   applications -- new applications that have come in for any

 

          4   other area.

 

          5             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Okay.  Okay.

 

          6             MR. WELCH:  We -- we would have to consider and

 

          7   whatever action you would take in the future on new

 

          8   applications would have to be addressed at that time.  For

 

          9   new areas, I should say.

 

         10             COMMISSIONER JONES:  All right.

 

         11             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Are there other questions?

 

         12             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Just -- is this enough

 

         13   time?  Is there going to give Staff enough time to get --

 

         14   I mean, this seems to be a lot of work.

 

         15             MR. WELCH:  We believe that -- well, the 45-day

 

         16   time period is a date that -- is a time period that was

 

         17   adopted by the original Commission for -- for applications

 

         18   coming in when we were just beginning and Staff had not

 

         19   had any experience.

 

         20             We also have the leeway built into the

 

         21   resolution that -- that if we cannot get it done in that

 

         22   time, it does provide for soon thereafter -- as soon

 

         23   thereafter as practical.

 

         24             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Is there a motion?

 

         25             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Mr. Chairman, I would move

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       28

 

 

 

          1   the resolution -- the adoption of Commission Resolution

 

          2   08-012.

 

          3             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Second.

 

          4             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's been made and

 

          5   seconded.  Is there any further discussion?  Hearing none,

 

          6   call the roll, please.

 

          7             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          8             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

          9             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

         10             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

         11             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

         12             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         13             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         14             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

         15             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         16             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         17             MS. FRANKS:  By your vote, you've adopted

 

         18   Resolution No. 08-012.

 

         19             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Now we'll go into closed

 

         20   session.

 

         21             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Mr. Chairman, move to close

 

         22   this meeting to receive, discuss and consider the

 

         23   following matters, closed minutes or other closed records

 

         24   under Statute 610.021.14 and 313.847.1.

 

         25             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  I'll second.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       29

 

 

 

          1             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Motion's been made and

 

          2   seconded.  Is there any further discussion?  Hearing none,

 

          3   call the roll.

 

          4             MS. FRANKS:  Chairman Shull?

 

          5             CHAIRMAN SHULL:  Approve.

 

          6             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Jones?

 

          7             COMMISSIONER JONES:  Approve.

 

          8             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Hais?

 

          9             COMMISSIONER HAIS:  Approve.

 

         10             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Plunkett?

 

         11             COMMISSIONER PLUNKETT:  Approve.

 

         12             MS. FRANKS:  Commissioner Bradley?

 

         13             COMMISSIONER BRADLEY:  Approve.

 

         14             MS. FRANKS:  Thank you.

 

         15             (The proceedings were concluded at 10:30 a.m.

 

         16   on January 16, 2008.)

 

         17  

 

         18  

 

         19  

 

         20  

 

         21  

 

         22  

 

         23  

 

         24  

 

         25  

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       30

 

 

 

          1                     REPORTER'S CERTIFICATE

 

          2  

 

          3   STATE OF MISSOURI  )

                                 )ss.

          4   COUNTY OF OSAGE    )

 

          5  

 

          6          I, Monnie S. VanZant, Certified Shorthand Reporter,

 

          7   Certified Court Reporter #0538, and Registered

 

          8   Professional Reporter, and Notary Public, within and for

 

          9   the State of Missouri, do hereby certify that I was

 

         10   personally present at the proceedings as set forth in the

 

         11   caption sheet hereof; that I then and there took down in

 

         12   stenotype the proceedings had at said time and was

 

         13   thereafter transcribed by me, and is fully and accurately

 

         14   set forth in the preceding pages.

 

         15  

 

         16          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and

 

         17   seal on January 22, 2008.

 

         18  

 

         19  

 

         20                      ______________________________

 

         21                      Monnie S. VanZant, CSR, CCR #0539

 

         22                      Registered Professional Reporter

 

         23  

 

         24  

 

         25