Louisiana: P2E receives 60 times to offer DiamondJacks license soon after unsuccessful Slidell Casino | Yogonet Intercontinental

The Louisiana gambling regulator has presented Peninsula Pacific Enjoyment (P2E), operator of DiamondJacks riverboat casino in Bossier Metropolis 60 days to either offer the site or have its point out gaming license revoked. The casino has been closed since March 2020, citing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns said he identified it “extremely disturbing” that the problem has been going on for two many years now. “We stand here right now and almost nothing has been carried out. I do not think a blade of grass has been modified at the property”.

Need to the license be taken absent from the firm, a 5-yr approach would begin for the senate to complete the essential bids and history checks. Louisiana grants 15 licenses that make it possible for gambling in particular parishes that have agreed. Then the holder of the new license would also want additional time to complete design of amenities and open its doorways. If the license is sold to yet another company, then the total course of action could be accomplished in about two decades. 

Louisiana Gaming Manage Board Chair Ronnie Johns

Virginia-primarily based Peninsula Pacific Leisure experienced currently been granted an extension from the condition Gaming Handle Board right after St. Tammany Parish voters turned down a proposal to transfer the on line casino license to Slidell. P2E had pitched a $350 million resort progress on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, but opposition from regulation enforcement leaders led to the proposal’s defeat in a December election. 

The law that established the referendum required P2E to reopen DiamondJacks in Bossier Town 60 days after the election, but the firm asked regulators for far more time to get the job done on all those programs back again in January. The extension gave the riverboat casino until finally Thursday to submit its tactic. 

As reported by Bossier Now, P2E’s law firm, Peter Connick of Metairie, appeared prior to the gaming board Thursday and assured negotiations have been ongoing with Basis Gaming Group to market DiamondJacks. Even so, far more time would be wanted to have it finalized. 

Basis owns gambling attributes in Mississippi these types of as Fitz Casino and Resort in Tunica, and WaterView Casino and Lodge in Vicksburg. 

Robert Smith, who is currently having care of the deserted property, also stated the vessel on which the casino sits is out of compliance and its certification has lapsed. Air conditioning and plumbing have to have repairs before an inspector can even be brought on board. Most of the equipment and furnishing in the resort and cafe have been bought and would need to have to be changed. 

“The facility has gotten to where by it is not marketable”, Commissioner Hary Avant of Shreveport explained, according to The Advocate. 

The gaming board however has the authority to reject P2E’s plans to transfer its license at the stop of the 60-working day period of time, and Johns stated regulators would not contemplate another extension when that time period finishes. 

Johns also stated he was unwilling to seize the DiamondJacks’ license for the reason that it would suggest the Gaming Command Board would no extended have jurisdiction in excess of the property, leaving Bossier Metropolis to offer with any problems that P2E fails to handle.