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Star Casino Launches Louisiana Gaming Boat Business Vessel Built At Bender Shipbuilding; Operated By Showboat, Inc. by Erin O'Driscoll, assistant editor The burgeoning gaming vessel market marked a symbolic first with the dedication, christening and offi- cial opening of Star Casino, Louisiana's first modern riverboat casino. "With the dedication of this ves- sel, we herald the beginning of a new era in Louisiana's gaming his- tory," said Louie Roussel, major- ity owner of Star Casino, Inc. and well-known New Orleans business- man, entrepreneur and philanthro- pist. "We are proud to be the first riverboat casino to come on-line in Louisiana. We want to assure the public that the Star Casino will con- tinue to be 'first' for many years to come ... first in customer service, first in quality entertainment and fun, and first in fairness and integ- rity of operation," Mr. Roussel con- tinued. After a few setbacks with the U.S. Coast Guard and New Orleans City Council members, Louisiana's first riverboat casino was on its way to making riverboat gaming his- tory. The 265-foot Caterpillar-pow- ered Star Casino boasts an impres- sive equipment list with the likes of Raytheon VHF radio and radar, Thrustmaster thrusters, engine con- trols and steering controls, and a Ritchie Compass. Star Casino is a tri-level, 22,500-sq.-ft. floating Las Vegas-style casino with a beam of 80 feet and a 14-foot draft. The Star Casino has a capacity for approxi- mately 1,250 guests. The onboard entertainment features a number of games of chance, including 760 slot machines; 39 gaming tables for blackjack, craps, and roulette; and video poker. The $12 million vessel was con- structed in about eight months by Bender Shipyard in Braithewaite, La. Claire Amiss, marketing man- ager of Star Casino, Inc., says Bender was chosen to build the Star Casino based on the company's fine reputa- tion. Mr. Roussel wishes to convey the importance of the fact that Louisiana's first gaming riverboat will be locally-run. "This is a locally- owned, locally-constructed riverboat casino, that is providing jobs for approximately 1,000 people in the New Orleans area. Our annual payroll will be about $17 million," Mr. Roussel commented. "Even before opening, the Star has made a very positive impact on our local economy, and will continue to do so, because the Star Casino is a locally owned and operated boat. That means salaries and winnings as well as the profits and taxes stay right here in Louisiana instead of leaving our state," Mr. Roussel continued. The riverboat docks at the Star Casino Terminal, a 34,000-sq.-ft. modern building which houses an information booth, reservations booth, restaurant, gift shop, cocktail bar and the security operations cen- ter of the Star Casino. Security at Star Casino is of pri- mary importance, according to Mr. Roussel. The security system is elaborate and features state-of-the- art equipment. Walter J. Tirrell, (Continued on page 26) Bender Shipbuilding has been busy constructing not only the Star Casino but six other gaming vessels for various owners. Bender delivered the "Cotton Club" casino vessel, a converted ferry, in September 1993 to Cotton Club of Greenville, Miss. Other vessels under construction at Bender include: Vessel Name Dimen. Engines Owner Deliv. Treasure Chest Casino 260x78 Caterpillar Treasure Chest Inc. 1/94 Horshoe 295x78 MTU Horseshoe 2/94 Entertainment Harrah's Kansas City 295x78 Caterpillar Promus Co. 5/94 Casino Rouge 260x78 Caterpillar Louisiana Casino 6/94 Cruises, Inc. Lady Luck 320x78 Caterpillar Lady Luck, Inc. 8/94 Elgin Lady 400x114 Caterpillar Nevada Landings/ 10/94 Hyatt 22 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
