Greater Baton Rouge Business Report: Riverboat gambling: will it float?

The attitude toward riverboat gambling these days is "wait and see" as officials try to determine what course the city should take.

According to Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer, "We're still gathering facts and information.

"If it involves expenses on the city's part, we have to know ahead of time. The other thing is to find out what these (gaming) companies are looking for."

At present, two companies are interested in locating riverboat gambling casinos in Baton Rouge, and one--Louisiana Casino Cruises Inc.--has asked Mayor Tom Ed McHugh to "negotiate a long-term lease to use the new city dock for this purpose."

McHugh has commissioned staff members to conduct a comprehensive study of the legal and procedural questions involved in leasing a public facility, including the dock, to a private entity.

In January, the DDD Commission went on record against any boat operator acquiring mooring rights to the city's dock if it interfered with tour boat operations. But Rhorer maintains that, "the dock is a multi-purpose dock." And as such, he says, careful consideration should be given to its use.

There is concern that a riverboat gambling operation would tie up the docking privileges for the Mississippi Queen, the Delta Queen and other tour boats.

According to Charlie Tapp of the Louisiana River Development Council, "Our hesitation is that we would like to see the Delta Queen's and the Mississippi Queen's docking privileges be protected. We're not against it (riverboat gambling). I think it would be good for the economy."

According to results from a study commissioned by Louisiana Casino Cruises, "one vessel with a capacity of 600 passengers can be supported" by the Baton Rouge economy.

Robert Miller, research consultant to Louisiana Casino Cruises, says the response to his request so far has been favorable, but cautious.

"We are satisfied with the response we've gotten from the city and I think they've taken a very systematic approach.

"There are all kinds of considerations," explains Miller. "It's not just 'Hey, let's tie up the dock.'"

While the company has selected sites in south Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge Parish, Miller says the status of the project could best be summed up in the phrase, "Be quick, but don't hurry."