Harrah’s Casino Re-Opened in New Orleans

Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, forcing many residents to leave the city, it seems that New Orleans may now be getting back on its feet.

Harrah’s New Orleans has re-opened amidst the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations (something that was greatly questioned after the battering of the 2005 hurricane season). The Harrah’s casino closed just before the occurrence of Hurricane Katrina and its return benefits not only the flailing city but also the Harrah’s employees.

“This is a magical city for our nation,” said Anthony Sanfilippo, president of the Central Division for Harrah’s. “We knew that Harrah’s coming back, employing 1500 people, reaching out to our customers throughout the nation, and inviting them into New Orleans, was going to be crucial to restarting the city,” he continued.

The all new New Orleans casino features a 115,000 square-foot gaming floor, more than 2,000 slot machines, more than 90 table games and the largest poker room in the South.

In addition, work continues on a 450-room, 26-story hotel, located just across Poydras Street from the casino. The $150 million project is expected to open in September 2006.

Due to the destruction caused by the hurricane the September 2005 scheduled stop for the World Series of Poker had to be cancelled. The next scheduled stop, May 2006, is hoped to go off without a hitch.