Voters overwhelmingly supported the move. Boosting Columbia Sussex’s bid to move into the parish was a company promise to hire 400 residents to operate the casino. Mary to the west and Assumption Parish to the east.īefore the Amelia Belle relocated, however, parishwide voter approval was required. Then general manager told the Tri-Parish Times at the time the Bayou Boeuf site stood out because of land access on both sides of the waterway – St. The storm seriously damaged the craft’s engine room as well as new slot machines set for installation.ĭetermined to keep the operation in south Louisiana, Columbia Sussex relocated the riverboat casino to Amelia in St. The casino was renamed the Amelia Belle.įate dealt the riverboat at bad hand in the form of Hurricane Katrina two short months later. Docked in Jefferson Parish, the casino was later renamed the Belle of Orleans.Ĭaesar’s sold the boat in June 2005 to Columbia Sussex. The riverboat casino first operated as Bally’s Casino when it opened in 1994 under the ownership of Caesar’s Entertainment. The latest deal marks the fourth such sale of Amelia Belle. “Not only will you have more choices in how you enjoy your rewards, you’ll be able to earn and redeem points at Boyd Gaming casinos across the country, including Las Vegas,” Smith said. The buyout should provide Amelia Belle’s regulars added benefits, including access to Boyd Gaming’s BConnected program. A $144 million note provided by Peninsula will also be considered. Boyd Gaming will assume Peninsula’s $1.2 billion debt. Smith said the Peninsula deal will require $200 million. “Their management teams have considerable knowledge of their markets and have show they are able to operate efficiently without compromising the guest experience.”

“Acquiring Peninsula Gaming strengthens our financial profile,” he continued.

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