Current Conditions of Mississippi River Force Casino Closings
Torrential rains throughout the midwest U.S. have led to another series of riverboat casino closings along the Mississippi River. The river, rising to unusually high crests due to heavy rains and flooding upriver, has reached a point at which riverboat safety is threatened at some locations.
The Isle of Capri boat at Davenport, Iowa, shut down indefinitely last night at 9 p.m. Mo Hyder, casino general manager, said the closure would be in effect until floodwaters receded, and did not speculate on when that might be.
In Clinton, Iowa, the opening of the Wild Rose Casino and Resort may be delayed by the raging waters. Although the casino is inland, the slot machines and other operating equipment were to be provided from the closing riverboat Mississippi Belle II, which was to be sailed to the port in Comanche.
However, the boat cannot leave the dock under current conditions, and the machines may have to be transferred by a longer, more arduous route.
At this point, the Bettendorf riverboat, also operated by Isle of Capri, is to remain open, although that may change if conditions worsen.
Earlier this year, casinos on the Mississippi in Missouri and Mississippi were forced to close due to floodwaters. So far, the Lumiere Casino in St. Louis has avoided closing; the Casino is not a boat, but is built out over the river.
