In a first for the gaming industry, a U.S. casino has been purchased by its workers through an employee stock-ownership plan. Partner Mark Welker led a Husch Blackwell team in the $170 million acquisition of the Casino Queen by its approximately 700 employees. Casino Queen is located in East St. Louis, Ill., and was established in 1993.
Other members of the Husch Blackwell team included Partners Craig Adoor, Chris Hamlin, Alan Kandel, Bruce Moothart, Jason Reschly, Chris Rockers, Michelle Roman and Associates Michael Chambliss and Rebekah Raber. The agreement was announced on Dec. 27, 2012.