Riverboat fined for allowing child on board

Monday, Jan. 31, 2000 | 11:46 a.m.

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- A riverboat casino that allowed a mother to take her 2-year-old child on board and sent mailings to recovering problem gamblers was fined $50,000 by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

St. Joseph Riverboat Partners, owner of the St. Jo Frontier Casino, said it would appeal last week's decision.

The commission said a woman with a 2-year-old daughter in a stroller was allowed to board the boat Nov. 4. That violated Missouri gaming regulations, which allow only people over 21 in gaming areas.

Security officers escorted the woman off the premises within minutes. The guard who allowed them entrance was fired immediately.

The commission also took action against the casino for sending promotional coupons to two people who had voluntarily "disassociated" themselves from the casino. These lists are intended to help problem gamblers stay out of casinos.

The casino said it purges names of people who have disassociated themselves from the casino from its mailing list, but said the two somehow slipped through. The casino sent a follow-up letter voiding the coupons.

The casino has 30 days to appeal.