Open for business: Ben Lauck, a lifelong Baton Rouge resident and LSU alum, has opened a local franchise of Mosquito Shield. It’s the first Louisiana franchise of the company, which was founded in 2001 and has locations in 13 states. In response to the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses such as the Zika virus, West Nile, and EEE, Mosquito Shield announced earlier this year it was targeting the southeastern U.S. for additional expansion. Mosquito Shield currently offers mosquito control and tick control services.
In charge: Lafayette-based Midsouth Bank has announced that former Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme will be appointed chairman of the board for both the holding company and its subsidiary, MidSouth Bank N.A., effective Dec. 31. Joe Tortorice Jr., a member of the holding company’s board of directors since 2004 and the founder and CEO of Jason’s Deli, will be appointed vice chairman of the board, also effective Dec. 31. Delhomme will replace Will Charbonnet Sr., who has served as chairman since 1990 and is retiring from the board at the end of the year. Midsouth Bank has more details.
Acquired: Eldorado Resorts announced this morning plans to buy Isle of Capri Casinos for $1.7 billion. The figure includes $929 million of long-term debt of Isle of Capri and its subsidiaries. The deal will add 13 casino-resorts to Eldorado’s portfolio for a total of 20 properties in 10 states. Eldorado owns a casino in Shreveport. In August, Isle of Capri announced plans to sell its lone Louisiana casino, located Lake Charles, to an affiliate of New Mexico-based Laguna Development Corp. for $134.5 million by late 2017. Eldorado’s expanded property portfolio will include approximately 20,800 slot machines and VLTs, more than 560 table games and over 6,500 hotel rooms. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Eldorado Resorts and Isle of Capri Casinos. The deal is subject to approval of the stockholders of Eldorado Resorts and Isle of Capri, the approval of applicable gaming authorities. Read the full announcement.
