NEW ORLEANS- The Greater New Orleans Hotel-Motel Association has opposed the idea of the Legislature allowing Harrahs New Orleans Casino to have its own hotel. The organization voted to back the casinos move for a reduction of its $100 million annual state tax, but would not go along with the idea of lifting the current ban on the casino having a hotel. The ban was included in the 1992 casino law at the insistence of the New Orleans hotel industry.
Harrahs is likely to shut down on March 31, 2001 if it does not get the tax reduction. The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau endorsed the tax cut as well as the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development District. (9/23/00)
SOURCE: The Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA
