Prior to the decision, both Cianfichi and Shea told council members the project would have become a stop on a San Francisco-Yosemite-Los Angeles tour circuit with the tour company's Asian clientele, a group he predicts would bring untold riches to the city's coffers. Cianfichi reportedly went so far as to say there would be so much money city bean counters would be unable to count it -- they would have to weigh it.

The city council couldn't see the dollar signs so well. They rejected the plan 4-to-1, saying it was not right for the city. One council member reportedly said a casino plan was not the type of business a growing city such as Antioch should be looking to bring. Councilman Arne Simonsen cast the lone dissenting vote, saying the city should at least keep its options open.

Cianfichi and Shea, who own Kelly's Cardroom in downtown Antioch, did not have a formal proposal for the plan. The two said they wanted to gauge the city's reaction before they spent money and time in it.