A casino on River Road originally scheduled to open in December is now expected to begin rolling dice and shuffling cards in summer 2012.
With a $357 million construction price tag, L’Auberge Casino and Hotel Baton Rouge will house about 1,500 slot machines, more than 50 table games, a poker room, three restaurants and a 206-room hotel with a rooftop pool and entertainment center.
Kim Ginn, vice president of marketing for L’Auberge Casino, said it will be a premier destination resort the city hasn’t had before.
Ginn said the restaurants, hotel and pool will service visitors of all ages, but the gaming floor and entertainment facility are limited to those 21 and older.
The 1,400-seat theater-style venue will host a variety of acts with one large act each month to appeal to Pinnacle’s core patrons and the general Baton Rouge population. The center will also be available for rental as a banquet hall.
Andrew Lofaso, accounting sophomore, said he plans to gamble when he is of age.
“It would be an awesome economic boost for all the positions hired on as staff,” Lofaso said. “I think I would check it out, and if we have a new casino, I might have a student.”
Ginn said L’Auberge will spend money with local vendors for the supplies it needs.
“The casino will make $24 million in annual purchases in goods and will spend $35 million in compensation for employees for salary and wages, as well as benefits,” Ginn said. “We will have over 1,000