Gaming briefs for July 15, 2004

Thursday, July 15, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

Bill to write legislation too high, report says

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Las Vegas law firm hired to write legislation that would have legalized video gambling in Texas has billed the state for $111,000 more than the contract allows, according to a report issued Wednesday by the state auditor's office.

The report also faults the Texas Lottery Commission and the attorney general's office for lax oversight of the contract with the firm of Lionel Sawyer & Collins, which was hired late last year to develop the ill-fated legislation.

The 34-page report was the topic of a sometimes contentious hearing Wednesday before the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee during which several lawmakers peppered two top lottery administrators and the chief deputy attorney general with questions about their authority to hire the law firm.

Committee Chairman Kino Flores, D-Palmview, said the arrangement casts a shadow over the agency, which generates nearly $1 billion annually through a variety of games of chance.

Casino seeks OK for expansion

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Ameristar Casino wants to make $26 million in renovations that would include offering gamblers an additional 250 slot machines and 10 poker tables.

The casino, one of three in Council Bluffs, was expected to seek the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission's permission to make the upgrades at a meeting today.

The project would include renovations to the casino's hotel rooms and dining room.

The expected request comes four months after the gambling commission unanimously approved a $38.6 million expansion project for Bluffs Run Casino. That project also included the addition of 250 slot machines.

Ameristar currently has 1,563 slot machines out of the 4,300 in Council Bluffs.

Commissioners will have to decide whether the Council Bluffs market can support any more slot machines.

The casino also wants to remodel all of its 162 hotel rooms.