NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 1 -- The Hilton Flamingo Casino has been closed in New Orleans as a court battle between state and city lawyers continues. The Louisiana attorney general late Tuesday night forced the casino to close as originally ordered by the State Gaming Control Commission unless it moved to Shreveport in north Louisiana.
Earlier in the day, a judge ordered the gambling boat to remain open as requested by city attorneys. Now, the city will have to go before the Louisiana Supreme Court to get the casino re-opened. The judge ordered the company to deposit $6 million in escrow to pay taxes that may be owed. The city is also after a $10 million exit fee that's in the Flamingo's contract with the city. The gaming commission had ordered the riverboat to close down by midnight Tuesday if it was unsuccessful in moving to Shreveport by Oct. 1. The Flamingo plans to present its plans as to whether it will go to Shreveport or wants to stay in New Orleans on Oct. 16. The departure of the Flamingo would leave New Orleans with only one gambling boat, located on Lake Pontchartrain. There are two other boats in the immediate area, one in Kenner and the other in Harvey. ---
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