Plans for New Orleans Casino Shot Down

The mayor proposed the idea of a Las Vegas type casino to be built in the center of New Orleans in order to help revive the city´s wrecked economy but anti-gambling activities gathered enough support to quash the idea. Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco is a vocal support of the anti-gambling movement and was opposed to the proposal.

Mr. Nagin conceded defeat after Ms. Blanco's very vocal opposition to the construction of a gambling complex in downtown New Orleans. It would have been impossible to approve such a plan without her support. Mr. Nagin also admitted that many other legislative leaders were against the idea and so he realized it would be virtually impossible to get the support he needed to go ahead with the project.

But the opposition to the idea also spilled over into the public sector. Many newspaper writers, editors and columnists as well as radio hosts made their opposition to the complex obvious. Harrah's, the only casino operating in the New Orleans district was built in the mid-90s and there was also a strong backlash at the time.

In order to build a new complex now the contract and gambling license with Harrah's would have to have been renegotiated which would also be very costly and was another reason for opposition. Councilman Jay Batt explained his opposition the construction of a new casino in New Orleans: "I think it would destroy the character and culture of our city. Gambling is not equal to economic development."