Voters approve slots at New Orleans track

Alan Sayre

Monday, Oct. 6, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS -- Orleans Parish voters gave their blessing Saturday to the New Orleans Fair Grounds' plan to join Louisiana's three other horse racing tracks in having a slot machine casino.

In complete, but unofficial returns, 57,214 voters, or 58 percent, favored the track's proposal, while 40,994, or 42 percent, opposed the slot casino.

"This is the first step in a bright future for the Fair Grounds," track President Bryan Krantz said. "We're just overwhelmed in the effort put forth by our employees and friends who worked so hard to see this proposition pass."

Faced with a stagnant racing purse structure and financial problems, the historic track won approval this year from the Legislature to have slots. However, local voters had to approve the measure.

Opposition formed in the neighborhoods that surround the urban track from residents who do not want a 24-hour-a-day gambling operation at the Fair Grounds.

Louisiana's three other racetracks -- Delta Downs at Vinton, Louisiana Downs at Bossier City and Evangeline Downs, which is building a new complex in St. Landry Parish -- either have slots or will have them soon.

Part of the slot proceeds at racetracks go to purses, designed to attract better racing, more wagering and stimulate interest in purchasing horses.

According to the law authorizing slots at the Fair Grounds, 18 percent of the proceeds will go to horsemen. The state will receive an 18.5 percent tax, with 5 percent going to public schools in New Orleans. The city also will get a 4 percent tax.

An annual payment of $200,000 also will go to New Orleans City Park and $50,000 annual payments will go to the district attorney's office, Delgado Community College's nursing program and Southern University at New Orleans.

The Fair Grounds can install up to 300 slot machines before June 30, 2004, and can have 500 machines after July 1, 2004. The maximum number of machines increases to 700 if Harrah's New Orleans Casino has gambling winnings exceeding $350 million in any year.