MTR Gaming To Close
Speakeasy Casino
- CHESTER, W VA - MTR Gaming Group Inc. said on July 25
that it will close the Speakeasy
Gaming of Reno Casino lay off about 60 workers.
Hotel
and other food and beverage service will remain open at
the property, with approximately 40 staff members remaining,
the company said.
MTR
Gaming said it has recorded operating losses at its Reno
facility since it began operating the property in late
1999. In the first quarter of 2001, the operating loss
was approximately $800,000.
License OK'd for La
Grange Casino
- LA GRANGE, MO - The Missouri Gaming Commission approved
a license for the Mark
Twain Casino on July 25, clearing the way for the
opening and for big changes in this northeast Missouri
town, about 35 miles from Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal.
The
casino is expected to bring in 12,000 visitors a week,
said marketing director Craig Searl.
"This
has got to be one of the most exciting things for La Grange
in the 61 years I've been here,'' Mayor Harold Ludwig
said of the casino, which has 450 slot machines and 14
gaming tables, including blackjack, craps and roulette.
The
riverboat-style casino was the talk of the town on July
25. While a few voiced concerns about increasing traffic
or crime, most felt the casino would be an asset.
Ameristar
Casino Celebrates Grand Opening of New Entertainment Venue
- VICKSBURG, MS - Ameristar
Casino Vicksburg recently celebrated the grand opening
of its newest entertainment venue, The Bottleneck Blues
Bar, with a July 19 VIP ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In
celebration of this event, many special dignitaries came
to express their congratulations. They included the Mayor
of Vicksburg Laurence Leyens; Senator Michael J. Chaney;
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director James B. Hiedel;
Mississippi State Representatives Chester Masterson and
George Flaggs, Jr.; Warren County Board of Supervisors
Representative Michael Mayfield, Sr.; and vocalist and
Jackson, Miss. native Dorothy Moore.