CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO - The new casino scheduled to open next week in southeast Missouri has cleared a major hurdle.
 
The Missouri Gaming Commission met on Wednesday in Cape Girardeau and gave preliminary approval to license the new Isle of Capri casino. Plans call for the $135 million complex to open at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, pending final inspections and final approval from the commission.
 
General Manager of the casino, Chet Koch, told the commission that 725 people have been hired for the casino, far surpassing the promise to create 450 jobs.