LOUSIANA

The Louisiana Legislature passed The Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act on July 31, 1991, legalizing casino riverboats. The Louisiana law allows up to 15 casino boats on various lakes and rivers in the state; six in any one parish. In early 1993 some 32 projects competed for the 15 licenses. On June 28, 1993, fifteen riverboats (the maximum allowed) won preliminary approval from the Louisiana Riverboat Gaming Commission.

The first riverboat the Star opened in September, 1993, however it is no longer operating. Three boats had opened and closed in the New Orleans area by mid-1995. Also projects under construction have stopped construction and either relocated their boats, or given up their license because of the ever changing economic and political conditions.

In Louisiana, there are no limits on the amount wagered. The law provides that 25 percent of the liquor sold on the boats be bottled in Louisiana. The state may access a 15 percent franchise fee on gaming revenue, a 3.5 percent charge for the State Police to monitor gaming and a US$2.50 per passenger fee for the local governments where the boats are docked. Under the law all the riverboats must be newly constructed and offer a cruise itinerary of three to eight hours.

In 1992 the Louisiana Legislature also approved one land based casino for New Orleans. The law restricts the land base casino to gambling only, no on site casino shows or restaurants. The projected opening date of the first phase of the land base casino was originally the first quarter of 1994. However, the temporary facility did not open until, 1995, due to an ever changing political climate, then closed in 1995 because of financial reasons. As we go to press in mid-1997 the permanent land based casino has no schedule opening date and the Flamingo Hilton riverboat continues negotiations with the state to relocate from New Orleans to Shreveport.

Louisiana also has three Indian Tribes who have gaming compacts with the state: 'the Chitmacha Tribe of Louisiana, the Coushatta Tribe, and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. They operate casinos base on the National Indian Regulation Act of 1988.