Monday, June 12, 2006

As reported by the Quad-City Times: "The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
on Thursday approved the sale of the Mississippi Belle II riverboat casino
in Clinton to Wild Rose Entertainment, setting in motion plans to replace
the current casino on the Mississippi River with a land-based casino on the
west edge of Clinton. "Wild Rose paid $38.4 million for the casino in a deal
with the Mississippi Belle II Employee Ownership Co. and the Robert Kehl
family, which opened the casino in 1991. The total deal was worth $46.3
million. "The change in ownership to Wild Rose was supported on a 4-0 vote
by members of the commission.

"Wild Rose is in negotiations to purchase a 29-acre site near the
intersection of U.S. 30 and Mill Creek Parkway where the new casino would be
located, officials said. Kevin Preston, senior vice president of gaming
operations for Wild Rose, said the company plans to retain current employees
and create more jobs at the new Clinton casino.

".The new land-based casino will feature 650 slot machines, 20 table games,
a VIP lounge and a bar with table-top video poker machines.

".The company will focus marketing for the redesigned casino to residents in
a 75-mile radius. The boat currently draws three-fourths of its visitors
from out of state."