La. ban to stand

Thursday, June 17, 1999 | 11:39 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS -- Video poker machines must be unplugged in 33 parishes at the end of this month, the state Supreme Court ruled.

The justices did not explain their decision Monday; they simply refused to hear the case. The entire opinion read, "Denied."

That word, followed by six sets of initials, means the justices will not hear arguments over local-option elections that banned video poker in 33 parishes. Justice Harry Lemmon felt that the case should be heard.

Video poker machines in the parishes which voted out video poker are to be shut down June 30.

Hillar Moore, an attorney for video poker operators, said he will ask federal courts to hear the case, and to let the machines stay on in the meantime.

District Judge Janice Clark had thrown out the elections at the request of video poker operators.

However, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal overturned her ruling.

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