St. Louis Gets Just One Bid for New Casino; Koman Group Also Operates Casino Queen

Sadly, Koman's St. Louis proposal isn't called "Casino King."

​The operators of the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Koman Group, was the only development company yesterday to submit a bid to city officials.

Koman wants to build a $115-million, 120,000-square-foot facility called Celebration Casino on Riverview Drive near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. The casino might also add a $26-million hotel at a later date.

As part of the deal, Koman has pledged to improve the Great Rivers Greenway trails near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge as well as add a public restroom for bikers and hikers.

Koman officials said the casino could earn St. Louis more than $9 million a year and contribute three times that to state coffers. The gaming facility would draw from Illinois and north St. Louis County.

St. Louis is just one city vying for Missouri's 13th -- and last -- casino license made available when Pinnacle Entertainment was strong-armed into surrendering the license to the President Casino. Other cities competing for the license include Cape Girardeau and Kansas City.