Fair Grounds Slots Bill Pre-Filed

Among the bills pre-filed in advance of the general legislative session in Louisiana is a measure to allow slot machines at Fair Grounds, the Times-Picayune reported today.

The bill, filed by Re. Glenn Ansardi, would allow the New Orleans track to install up to 300 machines by as early as July 1. The number of machines could climb to 500 over three years.

Track president Bryan Krantz said officials with the Harrah's New Orleans Casino are in agreement with the bill. "We are not opposed to that legislation," Harrah's spokesman Gary Thompson told the paper.

"We are all on the same page," with the track phasing in the slot machines over a three-year period, casino general manager John Payne said. "We are all on the same page," he said.

"It is a pivotal session for us," Krantz said. "If this does not pass, it will radically alter the type of operations we have."