Gambling Regulators Approve Moving Bossier City Casino To Slidell

The Gambling regulators have finally authorized to move a casino license from the city of Bossier to Slidell.

Wednesday’s decision is believed to be a crucial step in the legal procedures that could probably lead to the official closure of the Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City and shifting of that casino to Slidell, which will be officially called Camellia Bay.

The proposed $329 million casino resort at Slidell with a 4-star hotel will be located just off the Interstate 10th Exit 261, the first eastbound exit off the famous Twin Bridge. The subject has been of much controversy and several lawsuits were filed by the leaders.

 

The next major step for the State Bond Commission of the United States is to decide on September 16 whether to call a referendum or not that would put the question before St. Tammany voters on November 13, as per the resolution. On Wednesday afternoon, Governor John Bel Edwards postponed the November 23 election to December 11 following The Hurricane Ida recovery.

One of the most conservative-leaning parishes constituency in the literate state, St. Tammany has 185,510 registered voters that consists of 81% white and only 23% Democratic. The placards and advertising cover the parish people and region as the December elections generally are low turnout elections that are usually won by the side that gets their supporters to the polling booth.

The casino is drawing a strong vocal and local opposition and the majority of it comes initially from the churches in the Slidell area that are subsequently raising concerns about the heinous crime and the social ills that are caused by gambling addiction. But some businesses in the eastern St. Tammany have joined in the support that are led by real estate developer Chris Jean who have also begun efforts to contest the election.

A bunch of public officials has taken a stand for the general public against the proposed casino, including Slidell’s mayor in chief and the police in chief and the Slidell City Council President and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff General Randy Smith. The St. Tammany Parish Council had split due to  mostly the geographic lines, on putting the vote on the ballot, with everyone but only One council member from eastern St. Tammany voting arena against it and all but one on the parish’s western side voting in favor of the motion.

Supporters have argued that the casino when opened in November 2023  would employ a thousand of people in Slidell with an average annual salary of $45,000 and would contribute to state tax commission with an estimated $33.3 million each year gaming taxes. Local governments could pick up about $9 million from the extra  taxes on gambling that would generate extra revenue for them.

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