Navagiating the Waters of Riverboat Gaming: Episode Two of A Life Lived in the World of Gambling

By Stephen Crystal

Embarking on the riverboat gaming journey marked a pivotal moment in my professional life, a period that represented the very essence of innovation and expansion in an industry poised for transformation. Before the gaming landscape evolved to include the myriad of legalized casino operations we see today across forty-plus jurisdictions in America, there was a time when our collective imagination was captivated by the novelty of riverboat gaming. This era, the late eighties and early nineties, was not just about geographical expansion but about charting new territories in gaming itself, where the rules were yet to be written, and the potential for growth was immense.

This period was characterized by a pioneering spirit, where the absence of a playbook meant that innovation wasn't just a strategy; it was a necessity. We ventured into uncharted waters, literally and metaphorically, constructing novel gaming structures on riverboats, navigating a maze of political, geopolitical, and public policy challenges. It was an era of dynamic change, a time when the gaming industry began to stretch its wings beyond the confines of traditional venues.

My foray into riverboat gaming began with a blend of expertise in law and a keen interest in the burgeoning gaming industry. As a young attorney in Kansas City, Missouri, I found myself at the nexus of an emerging field, drafting land use opinions that would become critical to the development of riverboat gaming facilities. These documents, essential for obtaining the necessary zoning approvals and loans, marked the beginning of my reputation as a go-to expert for complex land use and development issues related to riverboat gambling.

The journey took us from initial referendums and projects in Kansas City with Station Casino—a partnership that led to a half-billion-dollar project—to ventures across Iowa, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, and Indiana. We were involved in every facet of these projects, from real estate development and land acquisition to securing entitlements and bringing in partners for development, funding, and operation.

Our very first project in Riverside, Missouri, with Argosy, stands as a testament to our pioneering spirit. It was the first approved riverboat gaming operation, a trailblazer that set the stage for what was to come. This spirit of being first, of confronting and solving unprecedented challenges, became a core value of our approach. We thrived on thinking outside the box, assembling teams to overcome obstacles, and driving progress and opportunity in the industry.

This problem-solving ability and innovation have been the fuel for our endeavors ever since, from riverboat gaming to becoming leaders in the iGaming industry and beyond. Our journey through tribal gaming, the redevelopment of downtown Vegas, and the advent of online gaming and sportsbooks exemplifies a consistent theme: innovation, pushing the envelope, and making significant impacts in the gambling industry.

Riverboat Gaming was a microcosm of the broader innovation occurring in the gambling industry, presenting complex challenges and opportunities that required nuanced solutions and stakeholder involvement. The lessons learned from this era—collaboration, creativity, and perseverance—have been instrumental in navigating the industry's evolution, from land-based casinos to the virtualized world of AI and machine learning.

As we continue to anticipate and shape the future of gaming, our journey through riverboat gaming remains a cornerstone of our narrative. It embodies the essence of our ethos: staying a step ahead, applying lessons from the past to new challenges, and embracing the possibilities of a changing world.

Thank you for joining us for Episode Two of the SCCG Track Record Series. Next time, in Episode Three, we'll focus on empowering tribes and the significant impact of tribal gaming. This journey is not just a recount of past achievements; it's a blueprint for future innovation and success in the ever-evolving landscape of the gambling industry.