State Gaming Control Boss: To Compete, ‘Changes Are Essential’ [VIDEO]

Ronnie Jones, Chairman of the State Gaming Control Board, talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the Louisiana State Senate denying Bossier City's Diamond Jack's Casino's request to move to Tangipahoa Parish.

Jones tells KEEL listeners that, regarding the Diamond Jack's move, "My sense of the legislative process is that things are never, ever done." He mentions the possible introduction of a companion bill on the House side that would consider the gaming company's request.

And on the subject of possible changes to state rules to allow the building of land-based casinos, Jones says, "The (state gaming) task force listened for seventeen months...to all the entities involved with gaming regulation. And the consensus was...is lagging behind - competitively - Oklahoma and Mississippi. And, if this is truly about economic development and putting people to work, changes are essential."