Document:

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                                   EXHIBIT 4.1

                         SUSQUEHANNA BANCSHARES, INC.
                           EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
                           ------------------------
                         (As Amended on May 25, 2001)

         The purpose of the Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. Equity Compensation
Plan (the "Plan") is to provide (i) designated officers (including officers who
are also directors) and other employees of Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. (the
"Company") and its subsidiaries, and (ii) non-employee members of the board of
directors of the Company (the "Board"), with the opportunity to receive grants
of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation
rights or phantom stock appreciation rights and restricted stock. The Company
believes that the Plan will cause the participants to contribute materially to
the growth of the Company, thereby benefiting the Company's shareholders and
will align the economic interests of the participants with those of the
shareholders.

1.       Administration
         --------------

         The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by a committee (the
"Committee"), which shall consist of two or more persons appointed by the Board,
all of whom shall be "disinterested persons" as defined under Rule 16b-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and "outside directors"
as defined under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") and related Treasury regulations.

         Except as provided in Section 6 hereof, the Committee shall have the
sole authority to (i) determine the individuals to whom grants shall be made
under the Plan, (ii) determine the type, size and terms of the grants to be made
to each such individual, (iii) determine the time when the grants will be made
and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the
criteria for vesting and the acceleration of vesting and (iv) deal with any
other matters arising under the Plan.

         The Committee may, in its discretion or in accordance with a directive
from the Board, waive or amend any provisions of any Grant, provided such waiver
or amendment is not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as then in effect.
The Committee may, if it so desires, base any of the foregoing determinations
upon the recommendations of management of the Company. A majority of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum thereof, and the actions of a majority of
the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or actions unanimously
approved in writing by all members of the Committee, shall be actions of the
Committee.

         The Committee shall have full power and authority to administer and
interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations and to adopt or amend such
rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for implementing the Plan and for
the conduct of its business as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole
discretion. The Committee's interpretations of the Plan and all determinations
made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder shall be
conclusive and binding on all persons having any interests in the Plan or in any
awards granted hereunder. All powers of the Committee shall be executed in its
sole discretion, in the best interest of the Company and in keeping with the
objectives of the Plan and need not be uniform as to similarly situated
individuals.

2.       Grants
         ------

         Incentives under the Plan shall consist of grants of incentive stock
options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock
appreciation rights and restricted stock (hereinafter collectively referred to
as "Grants"). All Grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein and to those other terms and conditions consistent with this Plan as the
Committee deems appropriate and as are specified in writing by the Committee to
the individual (the "Grant Instrument"). The Committee shall approve the form
and provisions of each Grant Instrument. Grants under a particular section of
the Plan need not be uniform as among the grantees.
<PAGE>

3.       Shares Subject to the Plan
         --------------------------

         (a)   Subject to the adjustment specified below, the aggregate number
of shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $2.00 per share (the
"Company Stock") that may be issued or transferred under the Plan is 2,462,500
shares. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum
aggregate number of shares of Company Stock that shall be subject to Grants made
under the Plan to any one individual during any calendar year shall be 450,000.
The shares may be authorized but unissued shares of Company Stock or reacquired
shares of Company Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open
market for purposes of the Plan. If and to the extent options granted under the
Plan terminate, expire, or are cancelled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered
without having been exercised or if any shares of restricted stock are
forfeited, the shares subject to such Grants shall again be available for
purposes of the Plan.

         (b)   If there is any change in the number or kind of shares of Company
Stock outstanding by reason of a stock dividend, a recapitalization, stock
split, or combination or exchange of shares, or merger, reorganization or
consolidation in which the Company is the surviving corporation,
reclassification or change in par value or by reason of any other extraordinary
or unusual events affecting the outstanding Company Stock as a class without the
Company's receipt of consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of
Company Stock is substantially reduced due to the Company's payment of an
extraordinary dividend or distribution, the maximum number of shares of Company
Stock available for Grants, the maximum number of shares of Company Stock that
may be subject to Grants to any one individual under the Plan in any calendar
year, the number of shares covered by outstanding Grants, and the price per
share or the applicable market value of such Grants shall be proportionately
adjusted by the Committee to reflect any increase or decrease in the number or
kind of issued shares of Company Stock to preclude the enlargement or dilution
of rights and benefits under such Grants; provided, however, that any fractional
shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated by rounding any
portion of a share equal to .500 or greater up, and any portion of a share equal
to less than .500 down, in each case to the nearest whole number. For purposes
of this Section 3(b), "shares of Company Stock" and "shares" include referenced
shares with respect to SARs. The adjustments determined by the Committee shall
be final, binding and conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustment
shall be authorized or made pursuant to this Section to the extent that such
authority or adjustment would cause any incentive stock option to fail to comply
with section 422 of the Code.

4.       Eligibility for Participation
         -----------------------------

         All employees of the Company and its subsidiaries ("Employees"),
including Employees who are officers or members of the Board, shall be eligible
to participate in the Plan. Members of the Board who are not employees of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Non-Employee Directors") shall be eligible
to participate in the Plan, but shall not be eligible to receive incentive stock
options.

         The Board shall select the Employees and Non-Employee Directors to
receive Grants and determine the number of shares of Company Stock subject to a
particular Grant in such manner as the Board determines. Employees and
Non-Employee Directors who receive Grants under this Plan shall hereinafter be
referred to as "Grantees".

         Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to (i) limit the
right of the Board to make Grants under this Plan in connection with the
acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the
business or assets of any corporation, firm or association, including options
granted to employees thereof who become Employees of the Company, or for other
proper corporate purpose, or (ii) limit the right of the Company to grant stock
options or make other awards outside of this Plan.

5.       Granting of Options
         -------------------

         (a)   Number of Shares. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall
               ----------------
determine the number of shares of Company Stock that will be subject to each
Grant of stock options.

         (b)   Type of Option and Price. The Committee may grant options
               ------------------------
intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of section
422 of the Code ("Incentive Stock Options") or options which are not intended to
so qualify ("Nonqualified Stock Options") or any combination of Incentive Stock
Options and
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Nonqualified Stock Options (hereinafter collectively the "Stock Options"), all
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         The purchase price of Company Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be
determined by the Committee and may be equal to, greater than, or less than the
Fair Market Value (as defined below) of a share of such Stock on the date such
Stock Option is granted; provided, however, that (i) the purchase price of
Company Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall be equal to the Fair
Market Value of a share of such Stock on the date such Stock Option is granted;
and (ii) the purchase price of Company Stock subject to a Nonqualified Stock
Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of such
stock on the date such Stock Option is Granted.

         If the Company Stock is traded in a public market, then the Fair Market
Value per share shall be, if the principal trading market for the Company Stock
is a national securities exchange or the National Market segment of The NASDAQ
Stock Market, the last reported sale price thereof on the relevant date or (if
there were no trades on that date) the latest preceding date upon which a sale
was reported, or, if the Company Stock is not principally traded on such
exchange or market, the mean between the last reported "bid" and "asked" prices
thereof on the relevant date, as reported on NASDAQ or, if not so reported, as
reported by the National Daily Quotation Bureau, Inc. or as reported in a
customary financial reporting service, as applicable and as the Committee
determines. If the Company Stock is not traded in a public market or subject to
reported transactions or "bid" or "ask" quotations as set forth above, the Fair
Market Value per share shall be as determined by the Committee.

         (c)   Option Term.  The Committee shall determine the term of each
               -----------
Stock Option. The term of any Stock Option shall not exceed ten years from the
date of grant.

         (d)   Exercisability of Options. Stock Options shall become exercisable
               -------------------------
in accordance with the terms and conditions determined by the Committee, in its
sole discretion, and specified in the Grant Instrument. The Committee, in its
sole discretion, may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding
Stock Options at any time for any reason. In addition, all outstanding Stock
Options automatically shall become fully and immediately exercisable upon a
Change of Control (as defined herein) in accordance with the provisions of
Section 11.

         (e)   Vesting of Options and Restrictions on Shares. The vesting period
               ---------------------------------------------
for Stock Options shall commence on the date of grant and shall end on the date
or dates, determined by the Committee, that shall be specified in the Grant
Instrument. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, except as otherwise
provided by the Committee in the Grant Instrument, all outstanding Stock Options
shall become immediately exercisable upon the earliest to occur of the
following, if at such time the Grantee is an Employee of the Company or a parent
or subsidiary of the Company, or a Non-Employee Director in the case of a
Nonqualified Stock Option: (i) the Grantee's normal retirement date, (ii) five
years from the date of the Grant, (iii) the Grantee's death or Disability (as
defined herein), or (iv) the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined
herein) of the Company.

          (f)  Manner of Exercise. A Grantee may exercise a Stock Option which
               ------------------
has become exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a duly completed
notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company with accompanying payment of
the option price in accordance with Subsection (h) below. Such notice may
instruct the Company to deliver shares of Company Stock due upon the exercise of
the Stock Option to any registered broker or dealer designated by the Committee
("Designated Broker") in lieu of delivery to the Grantee. Such instructions must
designate the account into which the shares are to be deposited. The Grantee may
tender a notice of exercise, which has been properly executed by the Grantee and
the aforementioned delivery instructions to any Designated Broker.

         (g)   Termination of Employment, Disability or Death.
               ----------------------------------------------

               (i)  Except as provided below, a Stock Option may only be
exercised while the Grantee is employed by the Company as an Employee or
Non-Employee Director. In the event that a Grantee ceases to be employed by the
Company for any reason other than a "Disability" or death, any Stock Option
which is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised
within 90 days of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by the
Company (or within such other period of time as may be specified in the Grant
Instrument), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the option
term. Any of the Grantee's Stock Options which
<PAGE>

are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be
employed by the Company shall terminate as of such date.

               (ii)   In the event the Grantee ceases to be employed by the
Company because the Grantee is "disabled," any Stock Option which is otherwise
exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one year of
the date on which the Grantee ceases to employed by the Company (or within such
other period of time as may be specified in the Grant Instrument), but in any
event no later than the date of expiration of the option term. Any of the
Grantee's Stock Options which are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on
which the Grantee ceases to be an Employee shall terminate as of such date.

               (iii)  If (a) the Grantee dies while employed by the Company,
or (b) in the case of disability, during the period provided at Section 5(g)(ii)
above, or (c) within 90 days after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be
employed by the Company on account of a termination of employment specified in
Section 5(g)(i) above (or within such other period of time as may be specified
in the Grant Instrument), any Stock Option which is otherwise exercisable by the
Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one year of the date of death
(or within such other period of time as may be specified in the Grant
Instrument), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the option
term. Any of the Grantee's Stock Options which are not otherwise exercisable as
of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company shall
terminate as of such date.

               (iv)   For purposes of this Section 5, the term "Company" shall
include the Company's subsidiaries and the term "Disability" or "Disabled" shall
mean a Grantee's becoming disabled within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the
Code.

         (h)   Satisfaction of Option Price. The Grantee shall pay the option
               ----------------------------
price specified in the Grant Instrument in (i) cash, (ii) with the approval of
the Committee, by delivering shares of Company Stock owned by the Grantee
(including Company Stock acquired in connection with the exercise of a Stock
Option, subject to such restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate) and
having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the option price or
(iii) through any combination of (i) and (ii). The Grantee shall pay the option
price and the amount of withholding tax due, if any, at the time of exercise.
Shares of Company Stock shall not be issued or transferred upon exercise of a
Stock Option until the option price is fully paid and any required withholding
is made.

         (i)   Election to Withhold Shares. To the extent permitted by the
               ---------------------------
Committee, Grantees may make an election to satisfy the Company income tax
withholding obligation with respect to a Stock Option by having shares withheld
up to an amount that does not exceed the minimum applicable rate for federal
(including FICA), state and local tax liabilities. Such election must be in the
form and manner prescribed by the Committee. If the Grantee is a director or
officer within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act,
such election must be irrevocable and must be made six months prior to the date
on which the Stock Option is exercised with respect to such shares.

         (j)   Rule 16b-3 Restrictions. Unless a Grantee who is an "insider," as
               -----------------------
defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, could otherwise transfer Company
Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Option without incurring liability under
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, at least six months must elapse from the date
of acquisition of a Stock Option by such a Grantee to the date of disposition of
the Company Stock issued upon exercise of such option.

         (k)   Limits on Incentive Stock Options. Each Incentive Stock Option
               ---------------------------------
shall provide that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the
Company Stock on the date of the grant with respect to which Incentive Stock
Options are exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year
under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company exceeds $100,000,
then such option as to the excess shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock
Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to any participant who is
not an Employee of the Company or any "subsidiary" within the meaning of section
424(f) of the Code. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to any
Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10 percent
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
"parent" or "subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of section 424(e) and
(f) of the Code, unless the option price per share is not less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value of Company Stock on the date of grant and the option exercise
period is not more than five years from the date of grant.
<PAGE>

6.       Formula Option Grants to Non-Employee Directors
         -----------------------------------------------

         A Non-Employee Director shall be entitled to receive Nonqualified Stock
Options in accordance with this Section 6.

         (a)   Initial Grant. Each Non-Employee Director who is a member of the
               -------------
Board on the effective date of this Plan, as defined in Section 21 hereof, will
receive a grant of a Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase 2,250 shares of
Company Stock as of such date. Each Non-Employee Director who first becomes a
member of the Board after the effective date of this Plan, will receive a grant
of a Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase 2,250 shares immediately upon the
date he or she becomes a member of the Board.

         (b)   Annual Grants. During the term of this Plan, beginning from the
               -------------
date of the initial grant specified in Section 6(a) above (the "Initial Grant
Date"), and, thereafter, on each anniversary date of the Initial Grant Date (the
"Annual Automatic Grant Date"), each Non-Employee Director will receive a grant
of a Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase 2,250 shares of Company Stock
provided that the Non-Employee Director remains as such on the Annual Automatic
Grant Date.

         (c)   Option Price. The purchase price per share of Company Stock
               ------------
subject to a Stock Option granted under this Section 6 shall be equal to the
Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date of grant.

         (d)   Option Term.  The term of each Stock Option granted pursuant to
               -----------
this Section 6 shall be ten years.

         (e)   Exercisability. Options granted under this Section 6 shall be
               --------------
exercisable one-third on the third anniversary following the date of the grant,
one-third on the fourth anniversary following the date of the grant, and
one-third on the fifth anniversary following the date of the grant.

         (f)   Administration. The provisions of this Section 6 are intended to
               --------------
operate automatically and not require administration. However, to the extent
that administrative determinations are required, the provisions of this Section
6 shall be made by the members of the Board who are not eligible to receive
grants under this Section 6, but in no event shall such determinations affect
the eligibility of Grantees, the determination of the exercise price, the timing
of the grants or the number of shares subject to Stock Options granted
hereunder.

         (g)   Applicability of Plan Provisions. Except as otherwise provided
               --------------------------------
in, and not inconsistent with, this Section 6, the Nonqualified Stock Options
granted to Non-Employee Directors shall be subject to the provisions of this
Plan applicable to Nonqualified Stock Options granted to other persons.

         (h)   Amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, this
               ---------
Section 6 may not be amended more than once every six months, except for
amendments necessary to conform the Plan to changes in the provisions of or the
regulations relating to applicable laws, including the Code or the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").

7.       Restricted Stock Grants

         The Committee may issue or transfer shares of Company Stock to an
Employee under a Grant (a "Restricted Stock Grant"), upon such terms as the
Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are applicable to
Restricted Stock Grants:

         (a)   General Requirements. Shares of Company Stock issued pursuant to
               --------------------
Restricted Stock Grants may be issued for cash consideration or for no cash
consideration, at the sole discretion of the Committee. The Committee shall
establish conditions under which restrictions on the transfer of shares of
Company Stock shall lapse over a period of time or according to such other
criteria as the Committee deems appropriate. The period of years during which
the Restricted Stock Grant will remain subject to restrictions will be
designated in the Grant Instrument as the "Restriction Period."

         (b)   Number of Shares. The Committee shall grant to each Grantee a
               ----------------
number of shares of Company Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Grant in such
manner as the Committee determines.
<PAGE>

         (c)   Termination of Employment or Services. If the Grantee ceases to
               -------------------------------------
be employed by the Company (as an Employee or Non-Employee Director) during a
period designated in the Grant Instrument as the Restriction Period, or if other
specified conditions are not met, the Restricted Stock Grant shall terminate as
to all shares covered by the Grant as to which restrictions on transfer have not
lapsed and those shares of Company Stock must be immediately returned to the
Company. The Committee may, however, provide for complete or partial exceptions
to this requirement as it deems equitable.

         (d)   Restrictions on Transfer and Legend on Stock Certificate. During
               --------------------------------------------------------
the Restriction Period, a Grantee may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge or
otherwise dispose of the shares of Company Stock to which such Restriction
Period applies except to a Successor Grantee under Section 10. Each certificate
for a share issued or transferred under a Restricted Stock Grant shall contain a
legend giving appropriate notice of the restrictions in the Grant. The Grantee
shall be entitled to have the legend removed from the stock certificate or
certificates covering any of the shares subject to restrictions when all
restrictions on such shares have lapsed.

          (e)  Right to Vote and to Receive Cash Dividends. During the
               -------------------------------------------
Restriction Period, unless the Committee determines otherwise, the Grantee shall
have the right to vote shares subject to the Restricted Stock Grant and to
receive any dividends or other distributions paid on such shares, subject to any
restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee.

         (f)   Lapse of Restrictions. All restrictions imposed under the
               ---------------------
Restricted Stock Grant shall lapse upon the expiration of the applicable
Restriction Period and the satisfaction of any conditions imposed by the
Committee. The Committee may determine, as to any or all Restricted Stock
Grants, that all the restrictions shall lapse without regard to any Restriction
Period. All restrictions under all outstanding Restricted Stock Grants shall
automatically and immediately lapse upon a Change of Control.

         (g)   Election to Withhold Shares. To the extent permitted by the
               ---------------------------
Committee, Grantees may make an election to satisfy the Company income tax
withholding obligation with respect to a Restricted Stock Grant by having shares
withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the participant's minimum
applicable tax rate for federal (including FICA), state and local tax
liabilities. Such election must be in the form and manner prescribed by the
Committee. If the Grantee is a director or officer within the meaning of Rule
16a-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, such election must be irrevocable
and must be made six months prior to the date on which all restrictions lapse
with respect to such shares.

8.       Stock Appreciation Rights
         -------------------------

         (a)   General Requirements. The Committee may grant stock appreciation
               --------------------
rights ("SARs") to any Grantee in tandem with any Stock Option, for all or a
portion of the applicable Stock Option, either at the time the Stock Option is
granted or at any time thereafter while the Stock Option remains outstanding;
provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such rights
may be granted only at the time of the Grant of such Stock Option. Unless the
Committee determines otherwise, the base price of each SAR shall be equal to the
greater of (i) the exercise price of the related Stock Option or (ii) the Fair
Market Value of a share of Company Stock as of the date of Grant of such SAR.

         (b)   Number of SARs. The number of SARs granted to a Grantee which
               --------------
shall be exercisable during any given period of time shall not exceed the number
of shares of Company Stock which the Grantee may purchase upon the exercise of
the related Stock Option during such period of time. Upon the exercise of a
Stock Option, the SARs relating to the Company Stock covered by such Stock
Option shall terminate. Upon the exercise of SARs, the related Stock Option
shall terminate to the extent of an equal number of shares of Company Stock.

         (c)   Value of SARs. Upon a Grantee's exercise of some or all of the
               -------------
Grantee's the Grantee shall receive in settlement of such SARs an amount
equal to the value of the stock appreciation for the number of SARs exercised,
payable in cash, Company Stock or a combination thereof. The stock appreciation
for an SAR is the difference between the base price of the SAR as described in
subsection (a) and the Fair Market Value of the underlying Company Stock on the
date of exercise of such SAR.
<PAGE>

         (d)   Form of Payment. At the time of such exercise, the Grantee shall
               ---------------
have the right to elect the portion of the amount to be received that shall
consist of cash and the portion that shall consist of Common Stock, which for
purposes of calculating the number of shares of Company Stock to be received,
shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of such SARs.
The Committee shall have the right to disapprove a Grantee's election to receive
cash in full or partial settlement of the SARs exercised and to require that
shares of Company Stock be delivered in lieu of cash. If shares of Company Stock
are to be received upon exercise of an SAR, cash shall be delivered in lieu of
any fractional share.

         (e)   Certain Restrictions. An SAR is exercisable only during the
               --------------------
period when the Stock Option to which it is related is also exercisable. No SAR
may be exercised for cash by an officer or director of the Company subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act, in whole or in part, except in accordance with
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

9.       Phantom Stock Appreciation Rights
         ---------------------------------

         The Plan will include phantom stock appreciation rights under a program
substantially similar to the Phantom Stock Appreciation Plan (the "PSAP")
currently maintained by the Company. In connection with adoption of the Plan, at
the time of shareholder approval of the Plan, the PSAP will be terminated as a
separate plan but its provisions will be incorporated herein and become a part
of the Plan. Any inconsistency between the terms of this Plan and the PSAP will
be resolved in favor of the terms of this Plan. Interests previously awarded
under the PSAP and outstanding at the time of adoption of the Plan will be
subject to conversion to cash and Company Stock in an equitable manner but
subject to the PSAP participant's acceptance.

10.      Transferability of Grants
         -------------------------

         Only the Grantee or his or her authorized representative may exercise
rights under a Grant. Such persons may not transfer those rights except by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution or, with respect to Grants other than
Incentive Stock Options, if permitted under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and
if permitted in any specific case by the Committee in its sole discretion,
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined under the Code or
Title I of ERISA or the regulations thereunder . When a Grantee dies, the
representative or other person entitled to succeed to the rights of the Grantee
("Successor Grantee") may exercise such rights. A Successor Grantee must furnish
proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her right to receive the Grant under
the Grantee's will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may provide, in a Grant Instrument,
that a Grantee may transfer Nonqualified Stock Options to his or her children,
grandchildren or spouse or to one or more trusts for the benefit of such family
members or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners (a
"Family Transfer"), provided that the Grantee receives no consideration for a
Family Transfer and the Grant Instruments relating to Nonqualified Stock Options
transferred in a Family Transfer continue to be subject to the same terms and
conditions that were applicable to such Nonqualified Stock Options immediately
prior to the Family Transfer.

11.      Change of Control of the Company
         --------------------------------

         As used herein, a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred
if:

         (a)   A liquidation or dissolution of the Company (excluding transfers
to subsidiaries) or the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets
occurs;

         (b)   As a result of a tender offer, stock purchase, other stock
acquisition, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reverse split or sale or
transfer of assets, any person or group (as such terms are used in and under
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner
(as defined in Rule 13-d under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing more than 20% of the common stock of the
Company or the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection 11(b), a
person or group shall not include the Company or any subsidiary or any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
subsidiary;
<PAGE>

         (c)   If at least a majority of the Board at any time does not consist
of individuals who were elected, or nominated for election, by directors in
office at the time of such election or nomination; or

         (d)   The Company merges or consolidates with any other corporation
(other than a wholly owned subsidiary) and is not the surviving corporation (or
survives only as a subsidiary of another corporation).

12.      Consequences of a Change of Control
         -----------------------------------

         (a)   Notice.
               ------

               (i)    If a Change of Control described in Section 11(a), (b)
or (d) will occur, then, not later than 10 days after the approval by the
stockholders of the Company (or approval by the Board, if stockholder action is
not required) of such Change of Control, the Company shall give each Grantee
with any outstanding Stock Options, Phantom Stock Appreciation Rights or SARs
written notice of such proposed Change of Control.

               (ii)   If a Change of Control described in Section 11(b) may
occur without approval by the shareholders (or approval by the Board) and does
so occur, or if a Change of Control described in Section 11(c) occurs, then, not
later than 10 days after such Change of Control, the Company shall give each
Optionee with any outstanding Stock Options, Phantom Stock Appreciation Rights
or SARs written notice of the Change of Control.

         (b)   Election Period. In connection with the Change of Control and
               ---------------
effective only upon such Change of Control, each Grantee shall thereupon have
the right, within 10 days after such written notice is sent by the Company (the
"Election Period"), to make an election as described in Subsection (c) with
respect to all of his or her outstanding Stock Options, Phantom Stock
Appreciation Rights or SARs (whether the right to exercise such Stock Options,
Phantom Stock Appreciation Rights or SARs has then accrued or the right to
exercise such Stock Options, Phantom Stock Appreciation Rights or SARs will
occur or has occurred upon the Change of Control).

         (c)   Election Right. During the Election Period, each Grantee shall
               --------------
have the right to elect to exercise in full any installments of such Stock
Options, Phantom Stock Appreciation Rights or SARs not previously exercised;
provided, however, that in the case of an SAR or Phantom Stock Appreciation
Right held by a Grantee who is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, any
such surrender or payment shall be made on such date as the Committee shall
determine consistent with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

         (d)   Termination of Stock Options. If a Grantee does not make a timely
               ----------------------------
election in accordance with Subsection (c) in connection with a Change of
Control where the Company is not the surviving corporation (or survives only as
a subsidiary of another corporation), the Grantee's Stock Options, Phantom Stock
Appreciation Rights or SARs shall terminate as of the Change of Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Stock Option, Phantom Stock Appreciation Right
or SAR will not terminate if assumed by the surviving or acquiring corporation,
or its parent, upon a merger or consolidation and, with respect to an Incentive
Stock Option, the assumption of the Stock Option occurs under circumstances
which are not deemed a modification of the Stock Option within the meaning of
sections 424(a) and 424(h)(3)(A) of the Code.

         (e)   Accounting and Tax Limitations.  Notwithstanding the
               ------------------------------
foregoing,

               (i)    if the right described in Subsection (c) in connection
with SARs or Phantom Stock Appreciation Rights would make the applicable Change
of Control ineligible for pooling of interest accounting treatment under APB No.
16 or make such Change of Control ineligible for desired tax treatment with
respect to such Change of Control and, but for those provisions, the Change of
Control would otherwise qualify for such treatment, the Grantee shall receive
shares of Company Stock with a Fair Market Value equal to the cash that would
otherwise be payable pursuant to Subsection (c) in substitution for the cash,
and

               (ii)   if the termination of the Stock Options described in
Subsection (d) would make the applicable Change of Control ineligible for
pooling of interest accounting treatment under APB No. 16 and, but for such
provision, the Change of Control would otherwise qualify for such treatment,
each affected Grantee shall receive a replacement or substitute stock option
issued by the surviving or acquiring corporation.
<PAGE>

13.      Amendment and Termination of the Plan
         -------------------------------------

         (a)   Amendment. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time;
               ---------
provided, however, that any amendment that increases the aggregate number (or
individual limit for any single Grantee) of shares of Company Stock that may be
issued or transferred under the Plan (other than by operation of Section 3(b)),
or modifies the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan,
shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company and provided,
further, that the Board shall not amend the Plan without shareholder approval if
such approval is required by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of
the Code.

         (b)   Termination of Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the day
               -------------------
immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of its effective date unless
terminated earlier by the Board or unless extended by the Board with the
approval of the shareholders.

         (c)   Termination and Amendment of Outstanding Grants. A termination or
               -----------------------------------------------
amendment of the Plan that occurs after a Grant is made shall not materially
impair the rights of a Grantee unless the Grantee consents or unless the
Committee acts under Section 20(b) hereof. The termination of the Plan shall not
impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to an outstanding
Grant. Whether or not the Plan has terminated, an outstanding Grant may be
terminated or amended under Section 20(b) hereof or may be amended by agreement
of the Company and the Grantee consistent with the Plan.

         (d)   Governing Document.  The Plan shall be the controlling
               ------------------
document.  No other statements, representations, explanatory materials or
examples, oral or written, may amend the Plan in any manner.  The Plan shall be
binding upon and enforceable against the Company and its successors and assigns.

14.      Funding of the Plan
         -------------------

         This Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to
establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of
assets to assure the payment of any Grants under this Plan. In no event shall
interest be paid or accrued on any Grant, including unpaid installments of
Grants.

15.      Rights of Participants
         ----------------------

         Nothing in this Plan shall entitle any Employee or Non-Employee
Director or other person to any claim or right to be granted a Grant under this
Plan. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as
giving any individual any rights to be retained by or in the employ of the
Company or any other employment rights.

16.      No Fractional Shares
         --------------------

         No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered
pursuant to the Plan or any Grant. The Committee shall determine whether cash,
other awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such
fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall
be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

17.      Withholding of Taxes
         --------------------

         The Company shall have the right to deduct from all Grants paid in
cash, or from other wages paid to an employee of the Company, any federal, state
or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such cash awards
and, in the case of Grants paid in Company Stock, the Grantee or other person
receiving such shares shall be required to pay to the Company the amount of any
such taxes which the Company is required to withhold with respect to such Grants
or the Company shall have the right to deduct from other wages paid to the
employee by the Company the amount of any withholding due with respect to such
Grants.

18.      Requirements for Issuance of Shares
         -----------------------------------

         No Company Stock shall be issued or transferred in connection with any
Grant hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the
issuance or transfer of such Company Stock have been complied with to the
<PAGE>

satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to condition
any Grant made to any Grantee hereunder on such Grantee's undertaking in writing
to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of such
shares of Company Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable as a
result of any applicable law, regulation or official interpretation thereof and
certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such
restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Company Stock issued under the
Plan will be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as may
be applicable under such laws, regulations and other obligations of the Company,
including any requirement that a legend or legends be placed thereon.

19.      Headings
         --------

         Section headings are for reference only. In the event of a conflict
between a title and the content of a Section, the content of the Section shall
control.

20.      Miscellaneous
         -------------

         (a)   Substitute Grants. The Committee may make a Grant to an employee
               -----------------
of another corporation who becomes an Employee by reason of a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of stock or property, reorganization or liquidation
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries in substitution for a stock
option or restricted stock grant made by such corporation ("Substituted Stock
Incentives"). The terms and conditions of the substitute grant may vary from the
terms and conditions required by the Plan and from those of the Substituted
Stock Incentives. The Committee shall prescribe the provisions of the substitute
grants.

         (b)   Compliance with Law. The Plan, the exercise of Stock Options and
               -------------------
the obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Company Stock
under Grants shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any
governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. With respect to persons
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that
the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. The Committee
may revoke any Grant if it is contrary to law or modify a Grant to bring it into
compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The Committee may
also adopt rules regarding the withholding of taxes on payments to Grantees. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this
Section.

         (c)   Ownership of Stock. A Grantee or Successor Grantee shall have no
               ------------------
rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares of Company Stock covered by a
Grant until the shares are issued or transferred to the Grantee or Successor
Grantee on the stock transfer records of the Company.

         (d)   Governing Law.  The validity, construction, interpretation and
               -------------
effect of the Plan and Grant Instruments issued under the Plan shall exclusively
be governed by and determined in accordance with the law of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.

21.      Effective Date of the Plan.  The Plan shall be effective as of the date
         --------------------------
of the approval by the Company's shareholders of the Plan.EXHIBIT 10.31

                   BAREBOAT CHARTER AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                             DATED MARCH 29, 2001

                                   BETWEEN

                 PRESIDENT RIVERBOAT CASINO   NEW YORK, INC.

                                     and

                             SOUTHERN GAMING, LLC

                ----------------------------------------------
                              m.v. "NEW YORKER"
                ----------------------------------------------

                             Henry Gusky, Esquire
                           Blumling & Gusky, L.L.P.
                            1200 Koppers Building
                              436 Seventh Avenue
                            Pittsburgh, PA  15219

THIS BAREBOAT CHARTER AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made and concluded this 29th
day of March, 2001

BY AND BETWEEN:

PRESIDENT RIVERBOAT CASINO   NEW YORK INC., a company duly organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 800
N. First Street, St. Louis, MO, 63102 (the "Owner")

and

SOUTHERN GAMING, LLC, a limited liability company, duly organized under the
laws of the State of South Carolina, having its principal place of business at
3004 Highway 21, Fort Mill, South Carolina 29715 (the "Charterer").

WHEREAS
(A) The Owner is the documented owner of 100% of the motor vessel "NEW
YORKER", registered under the U.S. flag, as further defined herein;

(B) The Charterer wishes to charter on a bareboat basis a vessel to be used as
a floating casino on "cruises to nowhere" for passengers to and from Surfside,
Texas; and

(C) For this purpose, the Owner has confirmed to the Charterer that the m.v.
"New Yorker" is available for bareboat charter and sale and the Charterer
wishes to hire the Vessel on a bareboat charter basis and sale on an "as is
where is" basis, and the Owner is willing to charter and sell the Vessel on
such basis, on the terms and conditions set out below.

<PAGE> 112
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1.  Definitions

In this Bareboat Charter, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby
assigned to them:

  1.1  "Associate" means any entity or corporation which is a primarily owned
subsidiary of the relevant party or the parent company of the relevant party
or any company or corporation which is an affiliate of the relevant party and
which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the same parent company;

  1.2  "Banking Day" means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) which
Firstar Bank of St. Louis, Missouri, or its successor, is open for business in
St. Louis, Missouri;

  1.3  This "Charter" means this bareboat charter agreement as the same may be
supplemented or amended from time to time by agreement in writing between the
parties and includes the Appendices attached hereto;

  1.4  "Charter Period" means the period determined pursuant to this
Agreement;

  1.5  "COI" means a valid Certificate of Inspection issued by the United
States Department of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard.

  1.6  "Crew" means any person working on the Vessel;

  1.7  "Delivery" has the meaning ascribed to it in this Agreement;

  1.8  "Hire" means the charter hire payable in accordance with this
Agreement;

  1.9  "Month" means a calendar month;

  1.10  "Total Loss" means the actual, constructive, compromised or agreed
total loss of the Vessel or such a major casualty of the Vessel resulting in
repairs to the Vessel which will exceed in value Six Million Dollars
($6,000,000.00).  In the event Total Loss occurs during the Charter Period,
the Charterer shall have no residual value in the Vessel, nor any equity in
the Vessel and all insurance proceeds shall exclusively be the property of the
Owner.

  1.11  "Vessel" means the m.v. "New Yorker", bearing U.S. Coast Guard
official number 538911, including all equipment and appurtenances and more
particularly described in Appendix "A" hereto.

2.  Effectiveness; Initial Payment

  2.1  This Charter shall become effective upon signing by both parties and
may be signed by facsimile and in more than one counterpart.  The individuals
signing the Charter hereby warrant and represent that they have complete and
full authority to execute the Agreement on behalf of their respective

                                    2

<PAGE> 113
companies, and that each of the parties has the complete ability to execute
the Charter with no prohibitions whatsoever;

  2.2  The Charterer, upon the signing of this Agreement by both parties,
shall immediately pay the Owner Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) in
guaranteed funds, as the first payment due under the Charter, as specified in
Exhibit   , attached hereto and made a part hereof.

  2.3  At the time this Agreement is executed by the parties, the Charterer
shall also execute an appropriate Closing Distribution Statement evidencing
this transaction and an Affidavit made pursuant to Section 212.05(2) of the
Florida Sales and Use Tax Code.

3.  Charter Period

  3.1  The Charter Period shall commence at the time and date of Delivery (as
defined herein) and shall continue without interruption during the term
hereof, or terminate sooner in the event of default or Total Loss, or in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

4.  At the termination of the Charter, or sooner, in the event that principal
payments of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000.00) plus all applicable interest
due thereon and all other sums due the Owner are paid by the Charterer to
Owner, as well as all Sales and Use Taxes are paid by the Charterer that arise
out of this Agreement, and the Charterer is not in default hereunder, the
Owner shall transfer ownership of and title to the Vessel to the Charterer, in
its then present condition, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances,
except those liens and encumbrances created or caused by the Charterer.

  4.1  Prior to Delivery hereunder, the Charterer shall:

    4.1.1  obtain at its sole effort, cost and expense, deliver to Owner an
irrevocable, financial guaranty surety bond, issued in favor of Owner, by a
licensed professional surety, approved by the Owner, in the amount of Seven
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00).  The term of the bond shall be
for the duration of the Charter, plus an additional thirty-six (36) months
beyond such termination, unless the Charterer first purchases the Vessel for
Cash at Closing, as set forth in the above paragraph, in which event such bond
shall terminate after all unpaid creditors arising out of this Charter are
paid.  The terms and conditions of the bond must be approved in advance by the
Owner.  The bond shall serve as security to cover and pay for all breaches
under the Charter, pay all third party claims arising out of the Charter
including wages and all unpaid insured and uninsured, and unsecured and
secured claims and for the payment of any damage done to the Vessel before or
during redelivery, as well as for all unpaid tort claims;

    4.1.2  in lieu of Charterer having a financial guaranty bond issued to
Owner, as aforesaid, at their discretion, all the principals of the Charterer
and their spouses must contemporaneously enter into a personal guaranty
agreement with Owner, personally guaranteeing that the principals shall
promptly pay and satisfy each and every unpaid claim against the Charterer
that is a lien or could become a lien entered against the Vessel and for the
payment of any and all unpaid Sales and Use Tax due as a result of this

                                    3

<PAGE> 114
Agreement.

    4.1.3  provide evidence in such form that is reasonably acceptable to the
Owner that the Certificate of Financial Responsibility and all insurances
Owner requires pursuant to this Agreement, including Liquor Liability have
been secured and paid for.

  4.2  The Vessel shall be accepted by the Charterer and taken over by the
Charterer where it is safely moored and afloat alongside Beyel Brothers Pier
in Port Canaveral, Florida, immediately after execution of this Agreement by
both parties and payment by the Charterer of the Four Hundred Thousand Dollars
($400,000.00) first payment due hereunder.  The Owner warrants and represents
to the Charterer that at the time of Delivery hereunder, the Vessel shall be
documented and conform to the description set out in Appendix A hereto, be
suitable for the carriage of passengers and comply with all regulations
applicable to U.S. flag passenger vessels operating in U.S. coastal waters,
and be properly documented, except with respect to the COI, which requirements
must be completed by the Charterer after it takes Delivery.

  4.3  Immediately after Delivery of the Vessel to Charterer, the Charterer,
at its sole expense, shall deliver the Vessel to Atlantic Marine Shipyard and
dry dock the Vessel and undergo a Hull inspection and undertake all required
repairs necessary to complete and pass the Hull inspection.  The Owner, at its
sole expense, shall also complete a pre-hire survey while the Vessel is in dry
dock.  All fees and expenses incurred while the Vessel is in dry dock,
including the Hull inspection, all repairs to complete the Hull inspection, as
well as any other repairs, except the pre-hire survey, shall be paid for by
the Charterer, before the Vessel leaves Atlantic Marine Shipyard.  All repairs
or alterations to the Vessel which the Charterer desires to make or is
required to make, must first be approved by the Owner in writing, whose
decision shall be final, but whose consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

  4.4  All expenses incurred and paid by the Charterer for the dry dock, Hull
inspection and necessary repairs required as a result thereby, shall be
totalled, and that sum shall be reduced by $100,000.00, and the remaining
balance shall then be equally applied by Charterer, on a 1/3 basis, as a
partial credit against the next three (3) monthly charter hire payments due
Owner by Charterer.  All other repairs incurred by Charterer at Atlantic
Marine Shipyard are at the sole expense of the Charterer and shall not be
included as part of this charter hire credit, as specified herein.

  4.5  Notwithstanding the Trading Limits defined below, the Owner authorizes
the Vessel's voyage from Atlantic Marine Shipyard to Surfside, Texas,
following completion of its dry dock, Hull inspection and repairs resulting
therefrom.

5.  Trading Limits

  5.1  The Vessel shall be employed by the Charterer for the purposes of
operating "cruises to nowhere" to and from Surfside, Texas or, with the
express written consent of the Owner, such other lawful trade permitted by any
relevant COI as the Charterer shall obtain at its sole expense and which use
shall be fully covered by insurance.

                                    4
<PAGE> 115
  5.2  Subject to the Clause above, the Charterer undertakes not to employ the
Vessel or suffer the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with
the terms of this Agreement and the instruments of insurance (including any
warranties expressed or implied therein) without first obtaining both the
express written consent to such employment by the insurers and the Owner and
further, complying with all requirements as to payment of extra premium or
otherwise as the insurers may prescribe or such additional requirements set by
Owner.  The Charterer shall notify the Owner in writing of all consents given
by the insurers as aforesaid.

  5.3  The Charterer shall comply with all federal, state and local laws,
statutes, regulations and rules applicable to their employment and operation
of the Vessel.

  5.4  The Owner makes no representation or warranty whatsoever as to the
Charterer's ability to perform under this Charter Agreement and/or the
legality of "cruises to nowhere".  Further, the Charterer unequivocally agrees
and acknowledges that it shall take delivery of the Vessel and has chartered
it in an "as is, where is" condition.

6.  Surveys

  6.1  Survey on Delivery and Redelivery   The Owner shall appoint a surveyor
for the purpose of determining the condition of the Vessel at the time the
Vessel is in dry dock at Atlantic Marine Shipyard for the Hull inspection and
at the time of the redelivery hereunder if the Charterer for any reason does
not take title to the Vessel.  The Owner shall pay the expenses of the Pre-
Hire Survey, but the Charterer shall pay the cost of the Off-Hire Survey any
dry docking expenses relating to the Vessel, after the expiration of the
Charter, in the event the Charterer does not take title to the Vessel.

7.  Inspection

  7.1  Inspection   The Owner shall have the absolute right at any time to
inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorized surveyor to carry
out such survey on their behalf to ascertain the condition of the Vessel and
satisfy themselves that the Vessel is being properly repaired and maintained.
Inspection or survey in dry-dock shall not be permitted unless the Vessel
shall then be in dry-dock.  The fees for such inspections or surveys shall be
payable by the Owner except to the extent that the Vessel is found to require
repairs or maintenance in order to achieve the condition specified in this
Agreement, in that event the inspection fees shall be the sole obligation of
the Charterer.  All time taken regarding inspection, survey or repairs shall
count as time on hire and shall form part of the Charter Period.

  7.2  The Charterer shall provide to the Owner at the end of every calendar
month, copies of all log books, including but not limited to the deck, engine
room, air-conditioning and maintenance logs, together with the results of all
oil samples taken for analysis.  The Charterer shall also permit the Owner to
inspect the Vessel's log books whenever requested, and Charterer shall
whenever required by the Owner, furnish Owner with full information regarding
any casualties or accidents or damage or repairs or renewals to the Vessel.
The Charterer shall also forward to Owner, at the end of every calendar month,

                                    5

<PAGE> 116
all accident and/or incident reports and all Form 2692 Reports filed with the
U.S. Coast Guard.

8.  Inventories and Consumable Oil and Stores

  8.1  A complete inventory of the Vessel's entire equipment, outfit,
appliances and of all consumable stores on board the Vessel shall be made by
the Charterer in conjunction with the Owner at the time of Delivery and again
on redelivery of the Vessel in the event the Charterer does not take title to
the Vessel.

  8.2  The Charterer shall at the time of Delivery and take over of the
Vessel, immediately pay to Owner for all bunkers, unused lubricating oil,
water and consumable stores on the Vessel at the then current market prices at
the port of delivery.  Provided however, Charterer's obligation to pay for
such items shall not exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

  8.3  In the event the Charterer does not take title to the Vessel, the Owner
shall take redelivery of the Vessel, but Owner shall not owe Charterer any
money whatsoever for all bunkers, unused lubricating oil, water and consumable
stores on the Vessel and shall take ownership to such items upon redelivery of
the Vessel.

9.  Maintenance and Operation

  9.1  Subject to the provisions herein:

    9.1.1  the Vessel shall during the Charter Period be in the full
possession and at the absolute disposal for all purposes of the Charterer and
under their complete control in every respect, except as provided otherwise
under this Charter;

    9.1.2  the Charterer shall completely maintain the entire Vessel and all
equipment thereon, including her machinery, boilers, appurtenances and spare
parts, together with all of her accommodation facilities, in a good state of
repair, in an efficient operating condition and in accordance with good
commercial maintenance practices, at Charterer's sole expense.

  9.2  The Charterer shall also be responsible, at its sole expense, for all
repairs, renewals or replacements of any nature whatsoever of machinery,
equipment and to any part of the Vessel, subject to the provisions
hereinafter:

    9.2.1  the Charterer shall immediately report to Owner all necessary major
repairs, renewals or replacements to be made or should be made, whereupon the
Charterer shall have the necessary repairs, renewals and replacements done, at
its sole expense, as soon as practicable, failing which the Owner shall have
the right to make such repairs for the account of the Charterer and upon
written notice to the Charterer shall pay Owner, and the Charterer hereby
agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Owner in respect to all
reasonable costs associated therewith;

    9.2.2  the time used in making any such repairs or renewals or

                                    6

<PAGE> 117
replacements for which the Charterer is responsible under this Charter
(whether effected by the Charterer or the Owner and whether or not covered by
insurance) and which prevents the working of the Vessel shall count as time on
hire and shall form part of the Charter Period;

    9.2.3  the Charterer shall exercise all best efforts in making the
repairs, renewals and replacements at its sole cost;

    9.2.4  the Charterer agrees that the Owner shall not be liable hereunder
to the Charterer for any loss of revenue whatsoever for any reason, except in
the case of an intentional, gross, willful default and/or willful,
intentional, gross negligence on the part of the Owner.

  9.3  In the event of a breakdown of machinery or equipment, the following
provisions shall apply:

    9.3.1  the Charterer shall report the event as soon as reasonably
practicable to the Owner and shall have the necessary repairs, renewals and
replacements done, at Charterer's expense, as soon as practicable, failing
which the Owner shall have the option to make such repairs for the account of
the Charterer and the Charterer shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the
Owner in all respects for all reasonable costs associated therewith;

    9.3.2  all time used in making any such repairs or renewals or
replacements for which the Charterer is responsible under this Charter
(whether effected by the Charterer or the Owner and whether covered by
insurance or not) shall count as time on hire provided that if such work is
performed by the Owner, it shall use all best efforts to minimize the loss of
time and to enable the Vessel to maintain or resume her operations as soon as
practicable.

  9.4  The Charterer shall at its own expense and by its own procurement, man,
navigate, operate, supply and fuel the Vessel whenever required during the
Charter Period and shall pay all charges and expenses of every kind and every
nature whatsoever incidental to its use and operation of the Vessel under this
Charter, including the payment of any and all federal, municipality and state
taxes.  The Charterer shall notify the Owner prior to Delivery hereunder of
the identity of any managers appointed by them and immediately thereafter of
any changes thereto.

  9.5  The Master, officers and crew of the Vessel shall be the sole servants
of the Charterer for all purposes whatsoever, even if for any reason appointed
by the Owner.  The Charterer shall comply with all statutes, regulations,
rules and applicable law regarding officers and crew.

  9.6  Subject to the Owner's prior approval which shall not be unreasonably
withheld, the Charterer shall change the Vessel's name as soon as practicable
after her arrival at Surfside, Texas.  The Charterer shall not operate the
Vessel under the name New Yorker under any circumstances once the Vessel
reaches Surfside, Texas.  The Charterer, with Owner's prior approval, shall
also have the liberty to paint the Vessel in their own colors, install and
display their funnel insignia and fly their own house flag.  Change of name,
painting and re-painting, installment and re-installment to be solely on the

                                    7

<PAGE> 118
Charterer's account and the time used thereby to count as time on hire.
Within twenty (20) days after the Vessel reaches Surfside, Texas, Charterer
shall file an application with the U.S. Coast Guard Documentation Office for
the change of the Vessel's Hailing Port to Surfside, Texas.  In the event the
Charterer does not take title to the Vessel for any reason, following
redelivery hereunder, the Owner shall promptly change the Vessel's name and
funnel insignia and reinstate the Vessel in her previous colors solely at the
Charterer's sole expense.

  9.7  The Charterer shall make no changes in the Vessel or changes in the
machinery, boilers, appurtenances or spare parts thereof without in each
instance first securing the Owner's prior written approval thereof, such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  The Charterer shall, if
the Owner so requires, restore the Vessel to its former condition before the
termination of the Charter, in the event any approved changes are made.
Provided that nothing in this Clause shall prevent, restrict or limit the
performance by the Charterer of their obligations under this Charter,
including their obligation to maintain the Vessel.

  9.8  The Charterer shall have the use of all outfit, equipment and
appliances on board the Vessel at the time of Delivery, provided the same or
their substantial equivalent shall be returned to the Owner on redelivery in
the same good order and condition as when received, in the event the Charterer
does not take title to the Vessel.  The Charterer shall from time to time
during the Charter Period replace such items of equipment which are damaged or
worn.  The Charterer is to procure all repairs to or replacement of any
damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment and must be effected in such manner
(both as regards workmanship and quality of materials) as not to diminish the
value of the Vessel in any respect.

  9.9  Any marine signal apparatus, blinker lights, radar, sonar, radio and
other communications or navigational equipment on the Vessel at time of
Delivery shall be kept and maintained by the Charterer and the Charterer shall
assume the obligations and liabilities of the Owner under any contracts in
connection therewith and shall reimburse the Owner for all expenses incurred
in connection therewith, and for any new equipment required in order to comply
with radio regulations.  Provided however, the Charterer shall not be
obligated to make any financial payments on any outstanding installment
purchase contracts due by the Owner for such equipment.

  9.10  The Charterer's maintenance of the Vessel hereunder shall also include
washing down the Vessel to remove salt crust, as frequent as necessary, but
not less than every week and, from time to time as required, in addition to
preparing, priming and painting all damaged surfaces and bare metal to prevent
rust blisters, as and when necessary or when Owner reasonably requires such
service.

  9.11  The Charterer and all affiliates relating to its operation shall
provide the Owner with copies of all of their monthly financial statements, on
an accrual basis, certified by the Charterer's CFO or other appropriate
officer, by the fifteenth day of the next following month.

10.  Hire

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<PAGE> 119
  10.1  The Charterer shall pay for the use and hire of the Vessel in the
amounts set forth in the Schedule which appears as Exhibit  herein, which is
made a part hereof.  Hire specified hereunder is exclusive of Sales and Use
Tax, which shall also be paid at the time the Hire is paid by the Charterer.
Hire shall be paid, with interest, plus applicable Sales and Use Tax exactly
as scheduled in Exhibit  .

  10.2  Payment of the Hire shall be made by wire transfer to the Owner's
account as specified in Exhibit  , attached hereto and made a part hereof.

  10.3  In the event of a Total Loss, Hire shall cease from the date and time
when the Vessel was lost.  Any Hire paid in advance shall be adjusted
accordingly.

  10.4  In default of payment of Hire by the Charterer beyond a period of five
(5) days from the Due Date, the Owner shall be entitled to receive interest
from the Due Date at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum until paid.
The Owner shall also be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the service of
the Charterer and take possession of the Vessel by using self help and without
written notice or noting any protest and without interference by any court
whatsoever or any other formality whatsoever, and without prejudice to any
other claims the Owner may otherwise have against the Charterer under the
Charter in the event the Charter Hire is not paid for a period of fifteen (15)
days.

  10.5  The Vessel shall be on Hire from the date of Delivery and Hire shall
be payable to Owner each month during the Charter Period as provided in
Exhibit  , unless provided otherwise in this Charter.

  10.6  Interest at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum shall also be
payable by the Charterer or for any other sums that are due Owner hereunder
from their due date.

11.  Transfer of Title and Ownership

  11.1  Provided the Charterer is not in default and makes all payments due
under the Agreement, including interest and Sales and Use Tax, the Owner
shall, within thirty (30) Banking Days, transfer title to the Vessel to the
Charterer or its assigns, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, except
those liens and encumbrances created by the Charterer.  This transfer of the
Vessel is a conveyance of a separate, identifiable segment of Owner's business
and is Owner's only operating asset.

12.  Quiet Possession

  12.1  Provided the Charterer is not in default hereunder, the Owner warrants
that during the Charter Period the Owner will not interfere with the
Charterer's quiet use, possession and enjoyment of the Vessel in accordance
with and subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Charter, except
to enforce the terms of this Charter.

13.  Insurances and Repairs

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<PAGE> 120
  13.1  During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept fully insured by
the Charterer, at their sole expense, for Hull and Machinery and Protection
and Indemnity against all risks in such forms as the Owner shall approve at
its sole discretion, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed and the Charterer shall also procure its own Certificate of Financial
Responsibility in respect to pollution risks.  Such Hull and Machinery and P
and I marine insurances shall be arranged by the Charterer to protect the
interests of both the Owner and the Charterer and the Charterer shall be at
liberty to protect under such insurances the interests of any managers they
may appoint or any equipment they may place on the Vessel, except that such
coverages shall not interfere with the Owner's property or any rights therein.
Further, the Owner shall be solely named as loss payee under such Hull &
Machinery insurances.  The parties shall co-operate in relation to the
insurances required hereunder and all insurance policies shall be in the joint
names of the Owner and the Charterer as their interests may appear.  The
Charterer shall also acquire at its own expense and maintain during the
Charter Period such additional insurances including General Comprehensive,
Pollution, Liquor Liability, Property, Workers' Compensation and Business
Interruption in such amounts and with such deductibles as the Owner may
reasonably require, and such insurances shall name the Owner as additional
insured on such policies as the Owner requires.  All insurers shall be first
approved in writing by the Owner.  The parties agree that Charterer shall use
its best efforts to timely acquire the insurance required herein, and as a
result they agree, if at all possible, to use the services of Owner's marine
insurance broker in order to expedite the purchase of coverages required.
Possession of the Vessel cannot be taken by the Charterer until all insurances
have been acquired and paid for, except that the Owner may waive this
provision in writing to permit the Vessel to be taken to dry dock at Atlantic
Marine Shipyard.  In that case, the Vessel cannot leave Atlantic Marine
Shipyard until all required insurance coverages have been obtained and paid
for, and reasonable proof thereof delivered to Owner.  Further, in that event,
Charterer shall pay to Owner the reasonable cost of using its insurance at the
time it takes Delivery of the Vessel, for the use of the insurance during the
time the Vessel is delivered to Atlantic Marine Shipyard and the Vessel
remains at the Shipyard, until the Charterer obtains its own insurance.  The
Vessel cannot leave the Shipyard until all insurances required by this
Agreement have been purchased.

   13.2  The Charterer agrees, in respect of the insurances for which they are
responsible, to:

    13.2.1  punctually pay all premiums, calls, contributions or other sums
and to produce receipts when so required by the Owner and to immediately
notify the Owner in writing of any non-payment of the same;

    13.2.2  renew all insurances at least thirty (30) days in advance before
the relevant policies or contracts expire;

    13.2.3  provide to the Owner certified copies of all slips, cover notes,
policies, certificates of entry or other instruments issued from time to time;

    13.2.4  provide letters of undertaking and/or notice of cancellation from
the brokers or relevant managers and confirming that the insurers will provide

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<PAGE> 121
the Owner with not less than thirty (30) days advance notice of any
cancellation or non-renewal of all such required insurances in such form as
the Owner may reasonably require.

  13.3  Subject to the terms herein, the Charterer shall, subject to the
approval of the Owner and the Insurers, effect and complete all insured and
uninsured repairs and shall undertake settlement and payment of all costs in
connection with such repairs as well as insured charges, expenses and
liabilities and the Charterer shall provide all such assistance as is
reasonably requested by the Owner.

  13.4  Should the Vessel become a Total Loss under the insurances required
under this Clause, without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder, which shall be reserved, this Charter shall terminate as of
the date of such loss and all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid
to the Owner.  The Charterer agrees to immediately notify the Owner of any
occurrences in consequence of which the Vessel is likely to become a Total
Loss.

  13.5  The Charterer agrees that certified duplicates of all insurance,
including cover notes, policies and certificates of entry shall be immediately
furnished to the Owner upon issuance.

  13.6  The Owner and the Charterer shall upon the reasonable request of the
other party, promptly execute all such documents as may be required to enable
the parties to abandon the Vessel to insurers and claim a constructive total
loss.

  13.7  For the purpose of insurance, Hull coverage under the insurance
provision herein, the value of the Vessel is Ten Million Dollars
($10,000,000.00), and Owner shall be named as the sole payee under the Hull
policy and any payment under the Hull policy shall be made exclusively to the
Owner and such payment proceeds shall be the sole property of the Owner.  This
sum shall be exclusive of any equipment owned or leased by the Charterer, for
which it shall obtain its own separate insurance coverage.

  13.8  The Charterer shall be responsible for payment of all insurance
deductibles and all claims management costs in relation to casualties and/or
claims and/or incidents of any kind arising under this Charter and the
Charterer shall be responsible for all other deductibles, including
deductibles and claims management costs arising in relation to all Hull and
P&I insurance and all third party claims.

14.  Redelivery

  14.1  In the event the Charterer does not take title to the Vessel for any
reason, other than a total loss, the Charterer shall redeliver, at the
Charterer's Sole cost, the Vessel to Owner, afloat at a safe berth, designated
by the Charterer at Port Canaveral or such other comparable port.  The
Charterer shall give the Owner not less than 30 running days' preliminary and
not less than 14 days' definite notice of expected date of redelivery.

  14.2  Subject to compliance by the Charterer with their obligations

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<PAGE> 122
hereunder, if the Vessel is redelivered to the Owner for any reason, the
Vessel shall be in the same or as good structure, state and condition as that
in which the Vessel was delivered to Charterer.

  14.3  In the event the Vessel is returned to the Owner, the Post Hire Survey
shall be conducted within ten (10) Days of redelivery hereunder, for which
purpose the Owner shall permit access to the Vessel of up to two
representatives of the Charterer to attend such survey.  The Post Hire Survey
shall include a dry docking.

15.  Non-Lien and Indemnity

  15.1  The Charterer will not suffer, nor permit to be continued, any lien or
encumbrance of any kind whatsoever, incurred by the Charterer or their agents,
servants and employees, to the Vessel.

  15.2  The Charterer further agrees to fasten to the Vessel in a conspicuous
place and to keep so fastened during the Charter Period a notice reading as
follows:

"This Vessel is the property of President Riverboat Casino   New York, Inc. of
New York.  It is under charter to Southern Gaming, LLC, and by the terms of
the Charter neither the Charterer nor the Master have any right, power or
authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed on the Vessel any lien
whatsoever, except for crew's wages and salvage".

  15.3  The Charterer shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Owner
against any claim or lien of whatsoever nature (other than created by the
Owner) arising upon the Vessel during the Charter Period while the Vessel is
under the control of the Charterer, or under this Agreement, and against any
claims or penalties levied against the Vessel or Owner arising out of or in
relation to the operation of the Vessel by the Charterer.  Should the Vessel
be arrested arising out of the Vessel's operation hereunder by the Charterer,
the Charterer shall at its own expense use its best efforts to insure that
within fifteen (15) days of any arrest, the Vessel shall be released at
Charterer's own expense and Charterer shall put up any necessary bail or
security to secure such release of the Vessel.

  15.4  The Charterer agrees that the ship managers retained by them shall
provide timely notice of a written assurance to the Owner upon the date on
which the crew pay roll has been paid in respect of each pay period that the
crew employed by them have been paid.  Such notice shall be made upon each pay
period.

  15.5  Prior to or at the time of ordering any necessaries for the Vessel,
including but not limited to stevedoring services, repairs, supplies, towage,
insurance, and the use of a dry dock or marine railway, the Charterer shall
provide any and all suppliers of such necessaries with written notice, in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit  , of the existence of this prohibition of
lien clause, and that the Charterer has no authority to bind or lien the
Vessel, and acknowledging that the supplier is relying solely on the credit of
the Charterer and not on the credit of the Vessel.  The Charterer shall obtain
the signature of an authorized representative of all such suppliers of

                                    12

<PAGE> 123
necessaries on a copy of the aforesaid written notices, and the Charterer
shall retain the signed copies of all such written notices and also forward a
copy of all such signed written notices to the Owner.

16.  Salvage/General Average

  16.1  Except in the event of a total loss, all salvage and towage performed
by the Vessel shall be for the Charterer's benefit and the cost of repairing
damage occasioned thereby shall be borne by the Charterer.

  16.2  General Average, if any, shall be adjusted according to York-Antwerp
Rules 1994 or any subsequent modification thereof current at the time of the
casualty.  Charter hire not to contribute to general average.

17.  Wreck Removal

  17.1  In the event of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to
navigation the Charterer hereby indemnifies and holds the Owner harmless and
shall defend the Owner against any sums whatsoever which the Owner shall
become liable to pay and shall pay in consequence of the Vessel becoming a
wreck or obstruction to navigation.

18.  Ship's Documentation

  18.1  The Owner shall provide documentation relating to the Vessel, such as
a stability letter, Certificate of Documentation and Certificate of Inspection
without the local marine safety office conditions, including drilling and
manning requirements, or any other Coast Guard requirements incidental to the
location where the Charterer will operate the Vessel.

  18.2  It is the sole obligation of the Charterer to obtain all necessary
inspections and meet all necessary requirements fur use of the Vessel at the
Charterer's intended area of use.

19.  Assignment and Sub-Demise

  19.1  The Charterer shall not assign this Charter nor sub-demise the Vessel,
unless expressly approved in writing by the Owner.

20.  Law

  20.1  This Charter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
Maritime Law of the United States and laws of the State of Missouri.

21.  Dispute Resolution

  21.1  Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Charter, all disputes
arising out of or in connection with this Charter shall be determined in
accordance with the following provisions.

  21.2  For the purpose of this clause a dispute shall be deemed to arise when
one party serves on the other party a notice in writing (a "Notice of
Dispute") stating the nature of the dispute.

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<PAGE> 124
  21.3  All disputes shall initially be addressed by a panel comprising at
least one and not more than three senior representatives of each party which
will be the forum for dispute resolution (the "Panel").  The parties shall
convene the Panel at an appropriate location at St. Louis, Missouri within
five (5) Banking Days of the service of a Notice of Dispute.  Failure by
either party to make available the representative or a designated party within
such period will entitle the other party to refer the dispute in the case of a
technical dispute to the Expert (as defined below) pursuant to this clause or
to arbitration pursuant to this Agreement.  Each of the parties shall bear
their own costs associated with all matters relating to the Panel.  The Panel
shall issue a written report detailing any agreed findings, recommendations
and stating a reasonable period within which the parties shall implement such
recommendations.

  21.4  In the event that the dispute is not resolved pursuant to the
paragraph above within three (3) Banking Days of convening the Panel, either
party shall be entitled to refer any dispute of a technical nature to the
surveyor appointed to conduct the on-hire and off-hire survey hereunder,
provided that he is suitably qualified in relation to the matter(s) in dispute
and accepts appointment on the terms set out herein or to such other expert
mutually agreed by the parties (in either case the "Expert").

  21.5  The party wishing to make an appointment of the Expert shall serve
written notice to that effect on the other party and with such notice shall
give details of the dispute which it is proposed shall be resolved by the
Expert, provided that in the event that the said matter is a dispute such
notice may not be served until a Notice of Dispute has been served on respect
of that dispute.

  21.6  Within three (3) days from the service of the notice referred to
above, the parties shall meet and endeavor to agree upon the selection and the
terms of appointment of the Expert.

  21.7  The terms of appointment of the Expert shall contain provisions that:

    21.7.1  the Expert shall act as an expert and the final determination of
the Expert referred to shall be final and binding on all the parties as to
technical aspects of the dispute, but as to no other matters;

    21.7.2  the Expert shall not later than five (5) business days after his
appointment call the parties to a meeting at a reasonable location at Houston,
Texas, or such other reasonable location near where the Vessel is docked, at
which time and place the Expert shall raise any matters requiring
clarification (whether arising out of his contract of appointment or
otherwise) and lay down the procedural rules to be applied which rules shall
comply with the terms of this Agreement;

    21.7.3  the Expert shall have the power to open up, review and revise any
certificate, opinions, decisions, instruction, direction, valuation,
requisitioned or notice and to determine all matters referred to him in
accordance with the terms of his appointment;

    21.7.4  the Expert shall furnish the parties with a draft of his proposed

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<PAGE> 125
determination of the dispute or other matter referred to him (including his
reasons in draft) in respect of which both parties shall be entitled to make
representations to the Expert for the period of five (5) Banking Days after
receipt of the said draft;

    21.7.5  the Expert shall render his determination in writing as soon as
reasonably practicable after expiry of the of the party's right to make
representations as above and shall give full written reasons for his
determination;

    21.7.6  all reasonable costs of the parties and the Expert shall be costs
in cause (i.e. the loser shall pay the winner's reasonable costs).

  21.8  In the event that the parties are unable to agree upon the selection
of an Expert or the terms of his appointment, the dispute shall be referred by
either party to arbitration in accordance with this Agreement.

  21.9  Subject to Clauses 20.1 to 20.8 above, any and all disputes arising
out of or in connection with this Charter shall be referred to arbitration.
The place of arbitration shall be St. Louis, Missouri, and the arbitration
shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA") then in force.  The reference shall be to a sole
arbitrator who shall be experienced in both commercial and maritime law and
shall be undertaken in accordance with the expedited procedure under the AAA
rules contained in the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA.  Paragraph 15
of the Commercial Rules shall apply in relation to the appointment of the
arbitrator except that the period of time for appointment therein shall be no
more than seven (7) Banking Days.  Any award shall be final and binding.

  21.10  Without prejudice to the provisions above, the parties hereby submit
to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state courts sitting at St.
Louis County, Missouri or the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri, Eastern Division, situated in St. Louis, Missouri, to
the exclusion of the courts of any other state or county.  The courts
aforesaid shall have jurisdiction to determine all matters ancillary to the
arbitration proceedings and to enforce any arbitral award.

22.  Charterer's Equipment

  22.1  Subject to the Owner's prior written approval (not to be unreasonably
withheld) the Charterer shall have the right to install additional equipment
(including, without limitation, gaming tables and machines and equipment
ancillary thereto) at their sole expense and sole risk, such equipment put on
board by the Charterer to remain at Charterer's risk and provided that the
Charterer is not in default hereunder, the Charterer shall remove such
equipment at the end of the Charter Period (ensuring that any damage so caused
to the Vessel is completely repaired to Owner's satisfaction) unless otherwise
agreed with the Owner.

23.  Inventory

  23.1  The Vessel shall be delivered with certain equipment, stores and
spares as per the attached inventory (Appendix B) as determined on inspection

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<PAGE> 126
at Delivery.

24.  Owner's Default

  24.1  While this Charter is in force:

    24.1.1  the Owner shall commit any material breach of the terms hereof and
shall fail to remedy the same within ten (10) days of notice from the
Charterer requiring that such breach be remedied; or

    24.1.2  the Vessel is requisitioned for hire or title by any governmental
or other competent authority (irrespective of the date during the Charter
Period when such requisition may occur and irrespective of the length thereof
and whether or not it be for an indefinite or a limited period of time) or the
Owner is deprived of their ownership in the Vessel by any compulsory
acquisition of the Vessel by any governmental or other competent authority
(irrespective of the date during the Charter period when such acquisition may
occur); and

in any such event the Charterer may terminate this Charter with immediate
effect by notice in writing to the Owner.

25.  Charterer's Default

  25.1  While this Charter is in force:

    25.1.1  the Charterer shall commit any breach of the terms of this
Agreement and shall fail to remedy the same within the required period to
remedy.  The term "breach" shall include, without limitation, a situation
where there is outstanding at any one time against the Vessel, a lien or liens
in respect of a debt or debts of the Charterer; or

    25.1.2  the Charterer shall fail to pay any debt of more than $3,000 that
is not in dispute to any person (other than the Owner) and which remains due
and unpaid or unsecured for more than ten (10) days after it is due and the
Charterer fails to pay or secure such debt within five (5) days notice in
writing given by the Owner to the Charterer;

    25.1.3  the Charterer shall fail to pay the crew pay roll in any pay
period on the due date and the same is not paid within two (2) Days after it
is due;

    25.1.4  a receiver or similar officer is appointed of the whole or a
material part of the undertaking or assets of the Charterer (or any of them);
or

    25.1.5  the Charterer applies for the appointment of a trustee in
bankruptcy, administrator or liquidator of themselves or of all or a
substantial part of their assets; or admit in writing to their inability to
pay their lawful debts as they mature; or make a general assignment to their
creditors or make a composition with their creditors or commence negotiations
with any one or more of their creditors with a view to the general re-
adjustment or re-scheduling of their indebtedness; or file a voluntary

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<PAGE> 127
petition in bankruptcy or a petition or order seeking re-organization or an
arrangement with creditors to take advantage of any insolvency law or become a
party to an involuntary petition in bankruptcy;

  then and in any such event the Owner may terminate this Charter Party with
immediate effect by notice in writing to the Charterer.

26.  Termination

  26.1  In the event of termination in accordance with this Charter, without
prejudice to the rights of the parties under this Charter or at law, the
Owner's obligation to let and the Charterer's obligation to hire the Vessel
shall cease with immediate effect and the Charterer shall arrange to
immediately remove the Passengers and its effects, without damage to the
Vessel, from the Vessel at the first practical opportunity and the Owner shall
be permitted to take peaceful possession of the Vessel.

27.  Severance/Change of Law

  27.1  If any provision of this Charter or part thereof is or becomes
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any law:

    27.1.1  the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and

    27.1.2  the parties shall negotiate in good faith new provisions to
eliminate the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and to restore this
Charter as near as possible to its original intent and effect.

    27.1.3  If "cruises to nowhere" are judicially determined to be illegal,
this Charter and all obligations hereunder shall continue, notwithstanding
such rulings.

28.  Notices

  28.1  Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Charter shall
be in writing and sent by facsimile (provided in each case a hard copy of the
same is sent by, prepaid United States First Class Mail, or United States
Certified Mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service,
prepaid, such as Federal Express) addressed as follows:

if to the Owner:

President Riverboat Casino   New York Inc., 800 N. First Street, St. Louis, MO
63102, Fax No.: 1 (314) 622-3172; For the attention of John Aylsworth, CEO

with copies to:

(a)  Ralph Vaclavik, Chief Financial Officer, President Riverboat Casino   New
York Inc. 800 N. First Street, St. Louis, MO 63102, Fax No.: 1 (314) 622-3049;
and

(b)  Terry Wirginis, c/o Gateway Clipper Inc., 9 Station Square Dock,

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<PAGE> 128
Pittsburgh, PA  15219, Fax No. 1 (412) 765-2544; and

(c)  Henry Gusky, Esq., Blumling & Gusky, LLP, 1200 Koppers Building, 436
Seventh Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA  15219, Fax No. 1 (412) 227-2050; and

(d)  Don Dobson, President Riverboat Casino   New York, Inc., 800 N. First
Street, St. Louis, MO 63102, Fax No. 1 (319) 359-1388.

if to the Charterer:

Southern Gaming, LLC, 3004 Highway 21, Fort Mill, South Carolina, 29715,
Attention: Tom Ferrell, Majority Member, Fax No. 1 803 547 3181;

Michael T. Howe, Esq., 223 East Main Street, Suite 403, Rock Hill, South
Carolina 29371, Fax No. 1 803 324 0056;

and in each case to such other person or address or addressees as any party
may notify in writing to the other party hereto.

  28.2  Any such notice shall be deemed to have reached the party to whom it
is addressed in the case of notice given by fax or telex, upon confirmed
transmission.

29.  Time of Essence

  29.1  Time shall be of the essence in relation to the performance by the
parties of their respective obligations under this Charter.

30.  Confidentiality

  30.1  The terms and conditions of this Charter shall be kept strictly
private and confidential at all times.  Nothing in this clause shall prevent
or inhibit such disclosure as is required to be made by law (including any
order of a court of competent jurisdiction or of a duly constituted
arbitration panel) or the rules of any stock exchange or the (US) Securities
and Exchange Commission in connection with the listing of the shares of the
Owner or the requirements of any governmental or other regulatory authority
whether or not having the force of law to the parties' advisors, attorneys,
and tax consultants.

  30.2  The obligations contained in this clause shall endure, even after the
termination of this Charter, until two (2) years after the date of termination
of this Charter in accordance with its terms.

31.  Taxes

  31.1  The Charterer shall pay all local, State, National taxes and/or dues
arising out of this Agreement, assessed on the Vessel or the Owner (including
all Sales and Use Tax) resulting from the Charter and sale hereunder, whether
assessed during or after the time this Charter terminates.

  31.2  The payment of all Sales and Use Tax due herein whatsoever, as a
result of this Agreement shall be the exclusive responsibility of the

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<PAGE> 129
Charterer and all such payments shall be made by the Charterer.

32.  Brokerage

  32.1  The Charterer and Owner agree that the only broker involved regarding
this transaction is Coastal Passenger Vessels, Ltd. and all fees due this
Broker shall be paid by the Owner and Owner hereby indemnifies Charterer for
any brokerage fees due Coastal Passenger Vessels, Ltd.  Charterer hereby
indemnifies and holds the Owner harmless for any other Broker's claim for a
Brokerage fee due as a result of Charterer's conduct and shall defend all such
claims.

33.  Gaming License

  33.1  The Charterer represents to the Owner that as of the date of this
Charter, all the members of the Charterer and all of the Charterer's
Affiliates or Associates have no felony convictions.

  33.2  In the event that the act(s) of any of the members, managers,
directors and senior officers of the Charterer or any of its Associates or
Affiliates results in any relevant governmental authority threatening to
revoke or rescind any gaming license of the Owner or their Associates, the
Owner shall promptly give the Charterer written notice of the same identifying
the act(s) complained of and identifying what remedial action is required in
order to satisfy the requirements of the relevant authority.  Should the
Charterer fail to take the required remedial action within fourteen (14)
Banking Days, the Owner, without liability of any kind whatsoever on behalf of
the Owner, shall have the right to terminate this Charter upon written notice
to the Charterer.  Provided that if no remedial action is possible by the
Charterer, the Owner shall be entitled to absolutely terminate upon not less
than fourteen (14) Banking Days notice given by the Owner to the Charterer
identifying the act(s) complained of and certifying that it is not capable of
remedy, without liability of any kind whatsoever on behalf of the Owner.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Charter to be signed by
their duly authorized signatories this 23rd day of March, 2001.

For and on behalf of:                     For and on behalf of:

PRESIDENT RIVERBOAT                       SOUTHERN GAMING, LLC
CASINO-NEW YORK, INC.

By:  /s/ Ralph J. Vaclavik                By:  /s/ Thomas A. Ferrell
   --------------------------------          ---------------------------------

Name:  Ralph J. Vaclavik                  Name:  Thomas A. Ferrell
     ------------------------------           --------------------------------

Title:  Sr. VP & CFO                      Title:  Majority Member
      -----------------------------             ------------------------------

                                    19
<PAGE> 130
In the presence of:                       In the presence of:

/s/ Chris Bernotas                        /s/ Michael T. Howe
-----------------------------------       ------------------------------------

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