A Texas gambling mogul has just sealed the deal to open a new Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Louisiana. Galveston native TiIlman Fertitta wants another bite of the estimated $2.5 billion Texans spend on gambling, which now goes out of state. He also wants a casino one day in Texas, but only under certain conditions.
Even though gambling in Texas is illegal, polls repeatedly show there is strong public support for at least limited amounts of gaming. Texas Senator John Carona introduced a bill that would have put the issue before voters this November, but he pulled it from consideration after being told it had little chance of passing.
From Las Vegas to Atlantic City, Golden Nugget casinos are iconic landmarks. Now, owner Fertitta is adding a fifth Nugget, next door to Texas in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He likes to go big. “It’s going to be a huge property. You’re going to have a marina. You’re going to have all of our restaurants,” Fertitta said. “It’s going to be a great gaming floor. You’re going to think you’re in Vegas.”
It will be next door to the popular L’Auberge casino owned by Pinnacle and a two-and-a-half hour bus ride from Houston. First Class Tours makes 6 trips a day there from its Eastex and Lauder location. Many riders here are regulars. “Sometimes twice a week, sometimes more,” said frequent rider Del Northway. But lots of folks would rather enjoy Texas gambling, and not travel at all, if they could.
