Zoning changes allow casino

Friday, Aug. 19, 2005 | 9:38 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS -- The Fair Grounds race track has won approval of local laws that will allow it to install a slot machine casino.

The City Council, with little discussion and no objection, on Thursday put zoning changes allowing the casino into law.

Churchill Downs Inc., which bought the money-losing track last fall, plans to build a 33,000-square-foot casino building that will house 700 slot machines. Unlike the casinos at the state's other three race tracks, however, the Fair Grounds will have limited hours of operation because of nearby neighborhoods.

The casino will operate 15 hours a day Monday through Saturday and 14 hours on Sunday, closing at midnight.

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