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La.: Pinnacle to Seek OK for New Casino
Message was posted: 10:43 Aug 22nd, 2007

User: vegasqueen Rank: Casino Gold: 28510CG Contributor rating: 71920 Status: Offline

Casino news source: Forbes - http://www.forbes.com/ La.: Pinnacle to Seek OK for New Casino By MELINDA DESLATTE 08.21.07, 4:09 PM ET BATON ROUGE, La. - The company seeking to build a new riverboat casino in Baton Rouge will ask the state gambling regulatory board for approval of its plans next month, but board members said Tuesday they were frustrated they hadn't received more information so far. Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. (nyse: PNK - news - people ) will need approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to use a casino license it bought from a Lake Charles riverboat to construct a new casino in south Baton Rouge. The plan includes a riverboat casino on the Mississippi River, a 100-room hotel and restaurants to open in 2010. It would be the third riverboat casino in the capital city. If approved by the gambling board, the casino would need approval from Baton Rouge voters, and the plans have run into strong opposition from some residents who don't like the location selected for the casino. Gaming board members noted that opposition during an update about the project Tuesday. Board member Mervin "Kelly" Simoneaux said many Baton Rouge residents are frustrated and angry about the project and feel they aren't getting enough information about the plans. While praising Pinnacle's very successful riverboat casino in Lake Charles, Simoneaux said the Baton Rouge proposal was different because it would be located in a "bedroom community of LSU." He told a Pinnacle representative the gambling board needed more details about the casino plans, particularly the effects on traffic and police and fire protection needs. "I think you really need to concentrate on the quality of life," Simoneaux said. Board member Rupert Richardson said she was frustrated that she hadn't received more information about the Baton Rouge casino plans. She said she needed to know more to make an educated decision about the project for the September gambling board meeting. An attorney for Pinnacle who spoke to the board about the project said the company hoped to get more information about the casino plans this week - and to answer all questions by next month's meeting. "We regret that it has taken this long," said Larry Orlansky, a New Orleans-based lawyer working with Pinnacle on the riverboat casino project. "We want to get it right. We want to answer all the questions." If Pinnacle gets the casino move to Baton Rouge approved, the company hopes to get the matter to Baton Rouge voters on the February presidential primary ballot, Orlansky said. That will require a vote from the local metro council.