A Senate committee narrowly approves legislation allowing the people of St. Tammany Parish to vote on allowing a casino to operate in Slidell.
Bill author Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt said a developer has proposed a waterfront casino that would create 1,900 permanent jobs and keep parish residents from spending money in Mississippi.
“We have Mississippi casinos who are members of our St. Tammany Chamber, they are big sponsors of lots of local community events in Slidell because we are good customers in Mississippi,” said Hewitt. “We love the crab leg buffet in Bay St. Lewis.”
The proposal is by P2E, who currently owns DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City. DiamondJacks did not reopen after COVID restrictions were lifted. St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper supports allowing the vote and the Parish Council has issued a resolution in support.
Louisiana Baptist Convention President David Cranford opposes allowing the referendum vote, said allowing a casino would corrupt the family-friendly culture of the Northshore.
“Over seven percents of Louisianans are susceptible to problem gambling. For that seven percent, and that’s a lot of people, casinos are wolves,” said Cranford.
The final vote was 4-3. The bill heads to the Senate floor.
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