Downtown casino holds steady for first half of 2011: Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge reported second-quarter revenue was nearly 1.5% higher than the year before. According to an earnings statement filed this morning, the downtown casino had $29.4 million in revenue during the quarter that ended June 30. That compares with just over $29 million in the second quarter of 2010. Through the first half of the year, revenue at Hollywood Casino is virtually unchanged from 2010, going from $59.6 million to $60 million. Penn National Gaming, the parent company of Hollywood Casino, says its revenue rose 15% in the quarter, to $687.9 million. The company posted quarterly earnings of $88 million, compared with $49.7 million the year before.
Carrier staying in Acadiana market: An official with the Lafayette Airport Commission says Vision Airlines has decided to continue its flights from Lafayette to Destin, Fla., at least into the fall. The Suwanee, Ga.-based carrier, which started offering the flights in June, had been scheduled to end them on Sept. 10. Airport Commission Chairman Paul Guilbeau told The (Lafayette) Advertiser that the flights will continue through at least Nov. 3. Guilbeau says most of Vision’s flights to Destin have been operating at 87% to 89% capacity. Vision left the Baton Rouge market July 15.
