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Delta Downs Slot Casino Shut Down

LOUSIANA – A Louisiana slot machine casino owned by Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp. was temporarily shut down this morning by the Louisiana State Police after agents found large amounts of money out in the open and other serious rule violations, a Louisiana Gaming Control Board official said Friday.

The failure to follow state rules for handling slot receipts prompted the closure, control board principal assistant Lana Tramonte said.

"We shut 'em down," Tramonte said. "I'm not sure how long it's going to last."

She said it was unlikely the slot casino would be allowed to reopen Friday.

In a 10-page letter advising Boyd of the state agency's grounds for suspending the Bossier City casino's license, control board Chairman Hillary Crain noted that Delta Downs employees:

-- were unable to reconcile the casino's slot receipts since Feb. 15.

-- failed to complete proper paperwork when they paid gamblers for jackpots.

-- three times failed to contact state agents when children were discovered in gambling areas.

Boyd spokesman Rob Stillwell said the shutdown was prompted by problems related to unexpectedly strong business at the racetrack casino.

The shutdown of the 1,500-machine slot parlor at the Delta Downs racetrack took place at about 5:00 a.m. CST, Tramonte said.

State police closed the facility in an orderly manner, Stillwell said, noting that the early morning hours are usually less busy.

Stillwell said he wasn't sure how long the shutdown would last, noting at 8:30 a.m. PST that the company expected within the next few hours to receive guidance from Louisiana state officials.

The shutdown took place nine days after the slot parlor opened for business. The state police action affects only the slot parlor; the racetrack will continue to operate.

"Our volume has been 10 times greater than we expected," Stillwell said.

Boyd bought Delta Downs last year for $125 million from Las Vegas investor Shawn Scott two years after Scott bought the track for $10 million.

The racetrack's value escalated after voters in Delta Downs' parish voted in November 1999 to allow slot machines at the track.

Boyd received a license from Louisiana regulators in October to operate slots at the track.

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