California-based gaming operator Peninsula Pacific Entertainment would like to make southeast Louisiana the home of its next casino resort, but it will have to jump over numerous hurdles to do so.
The company, which calls itself P2E, holds a license for a riverboat casino in Bossier City known as DiamondJacks. According to local media reports, P2E would prefer a waterfront location near Slidell, and has made a proposal to officials to build a 250-room hotel on a 50-acre site.
The estimated cost of the project is $250m.
However, in 1996, residents of St. Tammany Parish voted against the installation of casinos or even video poker. Louisiana law would require state lawmakers to draw up a new referendum that would ask citizens to overturn the previous vote.
If voters approve, the Gaming Control Board also would have to give its blessing to the project.
Louisiana currently has licensed 15 riverboat casinos. In 2018, the state changed its law to allow land-based casinos rather than limit them to operating on water.
The DiamondJacks riverboat casino is currently closed.
Local leaders believe attitudes toward gambling have changed, which could open the door to gaining approval for the P2E proposal. The company pointed out the Slidell site would include access from a major highway, as well as being close to other businesses.
