Louisiana Parish Council Backs $250M Casino Resort in Slidell Despite Religious Opposition
Posted on: February 9, 2021, 09:40h.
Last updated on: July 7, 2021, 01:12h.
The St. Tammany Parish Council last night voted to back a resolution that improves the odds of a $250 million casino resort coming to the New Orleans suburb of Slidell, La.
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) wants to relocate its casino license from Bossier City to Slidell. But voters in St. Tammany first need to approve of casino gambling. It’s been prohibited in the parish since 1996.
The Parish Council’s resolution allows state lawmakers to introduce a bill that would place a casino referendum before local voters. If the statute passes the Louisiana State Legislature and is signed by the governor, the motion moves to the ballot box in St. Tammany. If a simple majority of area residents back the casino, the Parish Council and P2E would be fully cleared to move forward with the development.
P2E permanently closed its DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Company officials said they would seek a more attractive economic area. They believe they found that with a 100-acre plot of land in Slidell that is located just off I-10.
P2E holds one of Louisiana’s 15 casino licenses. A change in the state’s casino laws in 2018 allows casinos to be built on land instead of restricting them to water.
Religious Leader Opposes Casino
The St. Tammany Parish Council held a public meeting last night to discuss the casino proposal. Fox 8, a television station in New Orleans, reports that several dozen people turned out to voice their opinions.
Pastor Casey Stark of Slidell’s First Baptist Church delivered the strongest opposition.
“Anytime a casino like this comes in, it causes significant problems and issues. We do marriage counseling all the time and we see people who drive over to Biloxi and Waveland and blow their entire life savings,” Stark said.
Casinos have a long track record of promising diamonds, but give dust,” Stark added, perhaps in reference to the failed DiamondJack’s fate.
Proponents countered that the benefits of a casino would far outnumber the potential negatives. They pointed to P2E saying the project would generate thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in annual regional economic impact.
The St. Tammany Parish Council voted 11-1 in favor of the casino resolution.
Casino Pitch Details
P2E’s $250 million casino scheme includes a 250-room hotel. The company says some 1,700 construction jobs would be created, and 1,000 ongoing permanent jobs at the resort once completed.
If St. Tammany Parish voters back the development, Pacific Peninsula says it would agree to pay $30 million for a sports and entertainment complex on the 100-acre property. It would additionally chip in $5 million to help construct the Slidell ring levee that’s been in financial limbo for years.
Should the casino one day come to reality, in addition to slot machines and table games, the Slidell gaming venue could include a sportsbook. Last November, St. Tammany Parish voters easily passed a sports betting referendum to allow such gambling in the area.
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Last Comments ( 5 )
I am totally against this. Our great city does not need this. Also, I do not think it is right that the Covington community and Mandeville community would get to vote on what happens in the Slidell community. Mandeville and Covington would surely not be happy if Slidell helped vote in a casino in their community.
Don't know anyone working for a casino complaining about the pay. Gamblers are going to gamble, be it locally or in MS.
This is an awesome idea! I hope it comes about. Creating jobs, economic impact, and a cool place to hang out.
My concern is are the new jobs good paying more than minimum wage a living wage that would let us work local and not have to drive to New Orleans And what about security extra LEO for the extra traffic .
This is a terrible idea. Gambling only brings misery. Don't believe the lies about new jobs and infrastructure being repaired or built. The jobs will not be jobs with good pay. We have enough of those here in Slidell already. Where do you think the money will come from for the infrastructure they are promising? From those who are too poor to gamble but will anyway. Shame on you for thinking this was the best you could do for Slidell!!! Don't get blinded by the promises. They are empty promises.