Ameristar Casinos received approval from the Louisiana Gaming Board to acquire the leasehold rights and a gaming license for a 242-acre site in Lake Charles that will be developed into a hotel-casino.
In March, Ameristar agreed to buy the site and license from Creative Casinos of Louisiana for $32.5 million. Ameristar is expected to close on the acquisition next month, after which it will start construction.
The Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles will have 700 guestrooms, 1,600 slots, 60 table games and a golf course when it’s completed in mid-2014.
With the purchase, Ameristar acquired the state’s last remaining riverboat gambling license. Ameristar is required to invest at least $500 million in the project.
Ameristar has seven resorts, two in Missouri and one each in Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Nevada and Mississippi.
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