Please clarify the gaming license issue pertaining to the Isle of Capri’s Crown gaming boat. If that boat is sold or leaves the area, does that mean this area loses a gaming license and all the existing revenue now being received? Is the Gaming Control Board involved in this transaction?

Isle of Capri announced in June that it had agreed to sell the Crown, the smaller and less lucrative of its two local boats, to Paradise Casino if the latter company obtained regulatory and voter approval of the deal.

The state Gaming Control Board OK’d the agreement — along with the transfer of the Crown’s license — on Aug. 18, and Bossier Parish voters last month approved the relocation of the vessel, which would be the parish’s sixth gambling boat.

Under its agreement with Isle of Capri, Paradise Casino, now known as Bossier Casino Venture, had until Nov. 30 to exercise its option to buy the boat and license. But it received an extension and now has until Dec. 30.

The Informer’s attempts to reach William Trotter II, Bossier Casino Venture co-owner, for comment on the extension were unsuccessful.

“If the option is exercised, we expect to finalize the transaction within 30 days after exercise,” reads the Isle of Capri’s latest quarterly report.

“Upon closing the transaction, we will continue to operate our Lake Charles hotel and land-based operations and consolidate our gaming operations onto one gaming vessel.”

If the Crown leaves — the company reportedly plans to move it sooner or later — Isle of Capri and Calcasieu Parish would have to sign a new payment plan, company and parish officials have said.

Under the current agreement, Westlake receives $1.8 million a year as long as one of the company’s boats is docked in the city limits. Right now, the only boat docked there is the Crown Casino.

• Online: Gaming Control Board, http://lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov.

Dual officeholding against the law

What are the laws regarding candidates for public office? If an employee wants to run to lead that office, does he have to resign before becoming a candidate?

No.

But if he wins, he must.

“No person holding an elective office in a political subdivision of this state shall at the same time hold … employment in the government of this state, or in the same political subdivision in which he holds an elective office,” reads R.S. 42:63.

As for the law on candidates for public office, here is the primary statute governing eligibility, R.S. 18:451:

A person who meets the qualifications for the office he seeks may become a candidate and be voted on in a primary or general election if he qualifies as a candidate in the election. Except as otherwise provided by law, a candidate shall possess the qualifications for the office he seeks at the time he qualifies for that office. … No person, whether or not currently registered as a voter with the registrar of voters, shall become a candidate if he is under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony.

• Online: www.legis.state.la.us.

Addendum: Bank check fee only $6

The Informer on Monday answered a question about bank check-cashing fees, which are authorized by federal law.

The reader who submitted the question complained about a $6.75 charge assessed by Chase. But a woman who said she works for the bank called The Informer to say the charge is really only $6.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.

Isle of Capri’s Crown Casino. (AMERICAN PRESS ARCHIVES)