February 9th, 2011 – by Glen Farmer
Officials from the gaming board in Louisiana will soon debate the future of the 15th and final casino license in the state. State police investigators will give testimony over the three companies that have applied to win the state’s last riverboat casino license.
State police have reviewed the applications; they will help determine who will receive the license to operate the last riverboat casino license that is available.
St. Gabriel Downs, LLC is aiming to establish a casino in Lake Charles. Creative Casinos, LLC is also aiming to create a casino on Lake Charles. St. Gabriel Downs will spend $167 in the first phase of their proposal, while Creative Casinos has proposed a $400 million projected dubbed Mojito Pointe.
Penn National Gaming Inc., the largest of the gambling companies in this three man arena, is proposing to build a second casino in Harvey, a New Orleans surburb. The casino, which would be named Hollywood Casino, would cost $145 million in its first phase.
With a state limit of 15 riverboat casinos, this will be the final license handed out to a company in the state. The review before the Louisiana Gaming Control Board is scheduled for Wednesday.