Louisiana gambling board approves up $6 million for Harrah’s contract with city

Tuesday, May 16, 2000 | 2:25 a.m.

New Orleans officials requested more than $8 million, but the board was limited by the Legislature from making Harrah's give the city more than $6 million to provide police and fire protection, sanitation and other support services.

The contract, approved Tuesday, now must get legislative approval.

"Our real strain is to try to minimize the shortfall to the city," said Roy Rodney, an attorney for the Rivergate Development Corp., which acts as the city's landlord for the casino building.

So far this year, the city has spent more than $5 million on support services for the casino. Harrah's only has to pay up to $6 million in services this year, as well.

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