Golden Nugget calls for unlimited space for slots and table games

During a Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force meeting in Baton Rouge, Fertitta said the current law is outdated and new possible changes will allow Louisina casino industry to become more competive over the next 25 years.

According to Fertitta, casino operators should be able to compete on more fair terms with tribal gaming facilities when it comes to tax rates and the amount of slot machines permitted per casino floors.

“It is shocking to me how much business we lose to tribal gaming here in the state of Louisiana,” Fertitta said in a report quoted by The American Press. “What in the world is the difference in me having 1,600 slot machines or 1,700 slot machines when they can have 2,500?”

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Under the current legislation, tribal casinos aren't charged for using promotional play.

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He said a tax cap on promotional play would let casino operators market more aggressively and produce additional gambling revenue.

Fertitta claimed state officials should also loose slot machines regulation in order to boost the sector and increase revenues for the state in a short term. 

"A slot machine that is inactive for at least 10 minutes to allow for verification after a $10,000 jackpot is won. Mississippi and Nevada don't require that verification until a $100,000 jackpot is won," he pointed out.

In addition, th casino executive said the purchasing process for vendors should be simplified. He said the 21-page document that vendors costing over $200,000 must fill out is overwhelming and has resulted in lost business. 

“It just scares them,” he said. “They feel like it’s an invasion of privacy. You can do a simple background check on one page.”