New Casino Resort

Lake Charles could be much closer to landing a new casino resort on property once intended for Sugarcane Bay.  On Friday, Port Commissioners voted to start negotiations on a final option to lease with three groups interested in building a new resort.  While Port Director Mike Dees says the new casino resort will expand the Lake Charles gaming market, Pinnacle Entertainment argues a new resort casino would take business away from L'auberge du Lac.  But should that be the concern of the Port Board?  AS MSU economics professor Dr. Michael Kurth puts it,  L'auberge would lose some business... But Kurth says that should not be the concern of the local officials.  Kurth says the only concern should be taking whatever steps are needed to insure the market grows in Lake Charles.  And according to Kurth, another casino resort would only help the market grow.  What do you think about the Port Board opening the way for other groups to possibly build another gaming entity on the property that had been set aside for Sugarcane Bay?

Comments

[JW]

Of corse Pinnacle says it would hurt business if I had a carpet store, paint store etc and someone wanted to open another I would claim the market couldn't support it. I think the least of the port boards concern should be pinnacle. If Texas ever legalizes gambling we will see just how commited to Lake Charles Pinnacle is.

[AWAKENED]

...Just a matter of who gets paid off the most. These big boys don't play. "Gaming" is big business. And yes, JW's mention of Texas legalizing gambling.... it's just a matter of time, and that big 'ol sucking sound we'll hear will be the vacuum left to "gaming" in Lake Charles as we know it.

[Support LCFD]

Competition is always good...bottom line.

[Bob F]

Wait a minute, yesterday's subject was poverty in America, today's subject Is:Do we need another casino. So they can cash more SS and welfare checks. What a GREAT state we live in.

[Humpty Dumpty]

Who are the " Groups " interested ???????? in a new Casino , Why the secrecy ? why does LC always OVERDO everything , WHY do we need another CASINO ?

[Steve]

I hope it does take business away from Pinnacle. They lied to the voters of Lake Charles. They held one gaming license in limbo for 3 years and sent the other one to Baton Rouge. This cost our area alot of tax revenue and jobs. I just hope Lake Charles can support another casino and I think we can.

[elohssa]

All the crying about economic development, you'd think the locals would be applauding the idea of another casino and another few hundred construction jobs then another thousand casino jobs.

So what if a few Dock Board members further line their pockets bringing the thing in here?

[CTtcg]

Well, if a new casino comes, then it should be just as good as L'Auberge. It should not be sleazy. Pinnacle probably regrets not building Sugarcane Bay now...

There's a lot of traffic congestion on Nelson Road and West Prien Lake Road. Will the new casino cause even more congestion? Will the City of Lake Charles administration bother to address this congestion? Hmmm....

[Buck]

Pinnacle is a second rate company. Some of our local elected officials, along with the state gaming board members. Have allowed this company to deprive Louisiana Tax Payers of 100's of millions of dollars in tax revenue. This lost revenue can never be replaced, it is lost forever. These same officials should be held accountable for their irresponible actions. This second rate company is now trying to dictate to the Citizens of Louisiana, the same song and dance we have been listening to for years. Trust us we are here to help!!!!!!!! I say to Pinnacle, the party you have enjoyed for years is over.

[CTtcg]

Oh, and by the way, L'Auberge du Lac opened in May of 2005, when they had two nearby competitors in close proximity: Harrah's casino in downtown Lake Charles, and Isle of Capri across the lake. They knew this when they planned and built their superior facility, so the excuse they're coming up with is completely bogus.

[Moi]

Casinos use all sorts of marketing schemes to entice gamblers to risk as much money as possible. They often offer inexpensive or even free alcohol, which encourages drunkenness, and thereby a decreased ability to make wise decisions.

Everything in a casino is perfectly rigged for taking money in large sums and giving nothing in return, except for fleeting and empty pleasures.

Lotteries attempt to portray themselves as a way to fund education and/or social programs. However, studies show that lottery participants are usually those who can least afford to be spending money on lottery tickets.

The allure of “getting rich quick” is too great a temptation to resist for those who are desperate. The chances of winning are infinitesimal, which results in many peoples’ lives being ruined.

As a Christian, I do not support any business whose profits are derived from fulfilling the ungodly desires of unfortunate gambling addicts, that, eventually, destroys these individuals and their families....and, I know of no Christian that supports such....

[Madison Pete]

I say go for it, what we need is someone to say to Pinnacle move over, you have competition. We still have a lot of unemployed people here in Southwest La, most are from the riverboat due to cutbacks and downsizing at L'auberge that could certainly use the work.

[Alice]

The Port Board is business as usual. I'm sure it is someone's relative on the port board that wants a license or some sneaky business deal that they are getting in to. It's never stops down there. It's always been dishonesty at the Port and always will be. Just look at make up of that board, now, how pathetic is that.

[N.J. Guidry]

SW Louisiana needs to plan for when(not if) Texas OKs "gaming"...The land in question should be developed as an entertainment venue to include a first class marina, golf course,restaurant,entertainment center auditorium etc. that would attract big name entertainment,.anything to make it a DESTINATION..then if people wanted to gamble they could go next door ...who cares about the gaming license...The city of LC can't understand that either..diversity=growth