Monroe's Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) is in the planning phase to lure a casino to the Ouachita River in Monroe. Monroe lawmaker Marcus Hunter has indicated he will introduce a bill to make the Ouachita River eligible to house a riverboat casino. Numerous reports say the DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier is a likely target. If SEDD is courting DiamondJacks it better hurry and put a ring on it because Robert is also calling on the casino and is much closer to sealing the deal.
In Baton Rouge Senate Judiciary B passed a bill to give Tangipahoa residents an opportunity to vote on allowing a casino along the Tangipahoa River near the I-12 Robert exit. If adopted, the DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier could be relocated to one of Louisiana's fastest growing areas pending a public vote.
Tangi Council member Lewis Joseph says if approved, the casino would help the parish fund its education system. He says a millage was recently rejected by voters that would have increased teacher pay. "If we can get this resort in Tangipahoa Parish it could be a vehicle to give our teachers a little bit more money to spend," said Joseph. Teachers in the parish have not received a raise in about ten years.
Chairmen of Peninsula Pacific Brent Stevens, the company that has owned DiamondJacks since 2015 says after a thorough analysis, his company realized that the Northshore region was ripe for a new facility. "There is about $260 million of gaming revenue from Louisiana that goes into Mississippi and the Gulf Coast." The majority of that money goes right through Tangipahoa Parish according to Stevens research.
The proposal will head to the Senate floor for approval.
Louisiana's 5th largest market in Terrebonne- Lafourche is also trying to attract DiamondJacks to the bustling area.
