By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 04/27/2024
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Harrah’s New Orleans
In a recent announcement, officials at Harrah’s New Orleans have revealed plans for the iconic casino’s transformation into Caesars New Orleans. They also provided details relating to the grand opening of its first on-site hotel, with the opening scheduled for later this year.
The rebranding comes following an agreement forged between Harrah’s New Orleans and state legislators in 2019, which effectively extended the casino’s gaming license until 2054. However, the extension was based upon Caesars Entertainment, the operator of the casino, committing to certain investments, with a minimum spend of $325 million earmarked for property enhancements.
A considerable portion of this investment is earmarked for the construction of the casino’s first hotel, which marks a change from its previous stance of turning to nearby accommodation partnerships since it opened in 1999.
Samir Mowad, the general manager overseeing operations at Harrah’s New Orleans, provided information about the progress of the project. He indicated that the 15-story, 340-room hotel is nearing its final stages of completion. Mowad said that he was confident that the hotel would be fully operational by the autumn along with the rebranding of the property.
The timing of the transformation is important, as New Orleans is poised to host Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome. The casino’s rechristening as Caesars New Orleans is expected to be finalized ahead of this event.
Once the hotel is completed, it could help to boost tourism in the area, as visitors will be eager to see the transformed casino and accommodation. It could also have a huge positive impact on the operator and local businesses during busy times like the Super Bowl, as it could help to draw in more sports fans to the local area.
Mowad spoke about the comprehensive nature of the renovations, stating that every aspect of the casino is undergoing an overhaul to ensure that it fits in with the Caesars brand. He said that at present, only about 60 percent of the casino’s space is operational. However, this will change as renovations continue to be completed and more of the property becomes operational. He also said:
Once the restaurants and hotel open, we’ll get back to full employment.
In light of the ongoing renovations and expansion, Caesars Entertainment was granted a temporary reprieve from meeting the mandated employment number of 2,400 personnel, as per its original agreement with the state of Louisiana.
A recent decision by the Senate Judiciary B Committee in Baton Rouge extended this exemption until 2025, with officials acknowledging the transitional phase and making amendments accordingly.
Caesars executives attributed delays in the completion of the hotel to the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over recent years. The mandated stay-at-home order enforced by Louisiana authorities in March 2020 put an end to construction activities, as the work was deemed to be non-essential.
Following this, problems relating to the global supply chain and inflationary issues further affected the timeline for the project’s completion.
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