In the United States, there are plenty of gambling changes taking place. In some states, there is online gambling legislation being considered by lawmakers while others are looking to expand with new casinos or sportsbooks. It is an exciting time in the country as more states start to get in on the action. In Louisiana, a Senate Judiciary Committee recently passed a bill that will bring a new casino to the Slidell area. The industry is growing, and this is just one more option that players will have in the future within the state once the property is up and running.
Details of the Measure
On Monday, the committee passed a bill that will allow a local company with current casino licensing to transfer the license to another area. Pacific Peninsula Entertainment currently has a casino license for a Bossier City venue. It will be moving to license to ST. Tammany Parish to create a casino in the Slidell community.
The new facility will be located on Lake Pontchartrain and offer premium gaming once constructed and open for business. The operator decided to purchase the Bossier City DiamondJacks Casino six years ago and it was in May of last year that the casino closed for good.
The casino was unable to hang on due to the market conditions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. In its market, the riverboat casino was struggling the most, landing at the bottom of the list when it came to revenues earned.
The company is now focused on moving its license and starting the $250 million casino project. Senator Sharon Hewitt led the bill effort to see the change approved. The new facility will create 1,900 permanent employment positions and increase tax payments. As much as $60 million or more is expected in the state after the casino is operational.
Project Plans
The authors of the measure felt that the vacant casino license moving to the southeast portion of the state will be beneficial. The goal is to capture some of the gamblers who are traveling from this area to the casinos located along with Gulf Coast of Mississippi.
Pacific bought the land in Slidell in February for less than $14 million. The company will spend hundreds of millions to develop the new casino. The investment of $250 million may even be increased to provide even more to the venue.
There are no concrete plans yet for the property. However, the company spoke to residents in Slidell and said that they plan to offer the casino floor of course along with different amenities and attractions.
So far, we know that the developer has different ideas for the waterfront property. It will include a lazy river and water slide, to provide a family-friendly element. There will also be a resort pool that will be geared towards adult visitors.
Plans are to include an outdoor amphitheater where as many as 6,000 people can enjoy entertainment. An indoor entertainment area will also be located on-site that will include 1,500 seats.
