Should Harrahs get a Contract Extension for New Orleans - Deal Dead

Why not up the $60 million payment at least? Seems like a good deal for Harrah's to keep everything the same and lock in payment amounts for 30 years.

Would like to see more casinos but I’m not sure where they would go in the tourist areas.

I think Harrahs is good for New Orleans. IMO, it's the best casino in the state. It is relatively small, then again, you don't want it too big.. With that said, if they would add an area for live entertainment, that would be a good thing. It would be something else that will bring people into the city.

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I say hell no to this. Not because I hate gambling, but I feel New Orleans needs to have a competitive gaming environment.

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Well, I mean if you hate gambling then that's all that really matters then.

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The only winner in this arrangement is Harrahs.

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What about the people Harrahs employees? What about the hotels, restaurants, etc that gets business strictly from people, who come from out of town, just to go to Harrahs? What about the tax money that Harrahs produces?

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Since we've been getting all that sweet gambling money, Louisiana has skyrocketed to #49 in the country in most major categories.

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Kind of like when Edwin Edwards wanted to get people to vote for riverboat casinos, he told everyone all the money it generates would go to education.. And in reality, I don't think education saw a cent of that money?

The money from gaming did go to education, but the money that had been going to education prior to legalized gaming was diverted eslewhere. The net was no additional money for education, just a reshuffling of deck chairs.

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Well if they opened up competition there'd be even more casinos for people to come for. Or did I miss the point of the OP.

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That is my point with this post. Harrahs needs competition.

I am someone who gambles on occasion and I normally drive past Harrahs to the Mississippi Gulf Coast because of a number of reasons.

The parking situation is horrible, yes they have free parking, but you have to gamble “x” amount and walk is very substantial compared to other casinos. The food is terrible and overpriced compared to their casinos.

Also, their comps and freeplay offers are not worth the hassle of parking and walking.

I knew when someone posted a few months ago that Harrahs had came up with this proposed grand expansion that it somehow had to be tied to $$$$$.

This bill needs to be stopped or amended before JBE locks up the state to 2054 with a mediocre land based casino.

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Well if they opened up competition there'd be even more casinos for people to come for. Or did I miss the point of the OP.

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I guess I should have been more clear. New Orleans isn't Las Vegas. People go to Las Vegas for the entertainment provided by the hotels, to gamble, etc. Casinos, gambling, entertainment, etc is Las Vegas. It's what built the city.

People come to New Orleans for other reasons (I am not talking about the people who live in driving distance who can go to NO just to gamble, but the people who go to Mardi Gras or for the culture.. including the food, for Saints & Pelicans games, plus the Sugar Bowl and other events). IMO, there really isn't an environment for casinos to compete, but there is a demand for one nice casino where people, who come to New Orleans for other reasons, can go to while here.

I am all for competition, but I think in this case, things might end up similar to what happened in Atlantic City.

Update:

Times Pic reports that the expansion does call for a 7 million dollar increase in annual payments while removing certain restrictions that were placed in the initial gaming law.

Times Picayune

I am still not buying it for another 30 years.

These long term contracts should be illegal or be more open term.

It is essentially giving them a guarranteed business for the next 40 years.

No, because they haven’t lived up to the old deal, why would we trust them now?

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Harrah’s broke its promise to pay no less than $100 million a year in taxes and now pays just $60 million. Harrah’s broke its promise to maintain employment levels and reduced its workforce. Harrah’s broke its promise not to have eateries beyond a cafeteria and now competes with our local restaurants. Harrah’s broke its promise not to have a hotel and now has one and is asking for a second.

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Letter to the Advocate
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