The Fair Grounds off-track betting parlor in Thibodaux, Louisiana, the city’s only such establishment, allegedly has agreed to move to a new location– just ahead of the city council’s plan to prohibit any new or relocating businesses with three or more video poker machines from moving within one mile of schools, churches or residential areas. Local businesses that already have more than three video poker machines would be grandfathered into the new rules. The city council will hold a public hearing on March 5 to review the proposal.
Fair Grounds’ agreement is with J. B. Levert Land Company for a site facing a sugar cane field. The company has threatened to leave Thibodaux if it is unable to relocate to the north part of the city. However, Mayor Tommy Eschete said, “Anytime we lose a business, it’s not a good thing. We don’t want to see empty buildings in the city.”
Still, Eschete said he plans to enforce whatever law is on the books. State law already prohibits businesses with more than three video poker machines from being within a mile of churches, schools and libraries. Residential areas were added during last year’s legislative session. Off-track betting parlors don’t fall under the one-mile restriction but Fair Grounds has video poker machines. Also, the state Attorney General’s office recently issued an opinion that Thibodaux’s proposed ordinance is “within the city’s jurisdiction and is not prohibited by Louisiana Video Poker Gaming Law.”
