Gaming board approves new Baton Rouge casino

2007-09-19 14:52:47

Plans to build a casino resort in Baton Rouge, Louisiana are closer to fruition now that the state gaming board has signed off the project.

But Pinnacle Entertainment still requires the approval of East Baton Rouge Parish voters and a referendum could take place next February.

The entertainment company wants to build a hotel, leisure facilities and residential community on 550 acres of land, as well as a single-deck riverboat casino. This will contain around 1,500 slot machines and 50 gaming tables.

Daniel R Lee, Pinnacle chairman, said: "The project will bring significant economic benefits to the Baton Rouge area including approximately 1,100 direct permanent jobs in phase one alone.

"Phase one also is anticipated to produce approximately $15 million per year in new tax revenues for the state and parishes of Louisiana."

Pinnacle is also developing a casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which will be called Sugarcane Bay.