The State - News from March 11, 1988

San Francisco voters will be asked June 7 whether they want Alcatraz Island, site of a former federal prison for notorious criminals, transformed into a huge, city-run casino complex. The advisory ballot measure was approved by six San Francisco supervisors. It asks whether the city should encourage changes in state and federal laws to allow The Rock to become the Monte Carlo of the West Coast. The idea surfaced last year during newspaper columnist Warren Hinckle’s unsuccessful bid for mayor. His plan was not taken very seriously, but that was before the city realized it faced a $172.4-million budget deficit. “I’d never turn my back on something that would bring money to the city legally,” Supervisor Wendy Nelder said. “We don’t seem to have any trouble with bingo.” Hinckle said the casino would generate at least $150 million a year for the city in gambling profits.