Players International to Build Riverboat Casino

Players International Inc., a Calabasas-based operator of riverboat casinos, said Maryland Heights, Mo., has approved the company’s bid to develop a riverboat casino in the St. Louis suburb.

Players now has riverboats in Metropolis, Ill., and Lake Charles, La.

In Maryland Heights it plans to operate a boat with 25,000 square feet of gambling space. Shore-side facilities would include a sports complex, retail shops, restaurants, nightclubs and other attractions.

Separately, real estate magnate Donald Trump is negotiating for an extension of an option he bought last summer from Players to develop a casino in Gulfport, Miss.

In July, Trump paid $250,000 to Players and Las Vegas-based Jackpot Enterprises Inc. for an option to purchase rights to the site--which Players and Jackpot co-owned.

Under the original agreement, Trump was to close the transaction on Jan. 11 by paying Players and Jackpot $2 million each and $250,000 each annually for six years.

Peter Aranow, chief financial officer at Players, said the agreement with Trump was still on.

But in December plans by Trump and Lady Luck Gaming Corp. to develop two separate casinos at the Mississippi port were temporarily denied by the state gaming commission after Dole Fresh Fruit, a unit of Dole Food Co. of Westlake Village, told the gaming commission that more gambling halls would hinder the movement of its trucks.

Lady Luck said it was trying to negotiate a solution with Dole and the gaming commission. Trump officials could not be reached for comment.