Left on the table: Baton Rouge’s three riverboat casinos all posted a year-over-year increase in their take from gamblers last month, and they collectively pushed the local gaming market revenue up 1.9% in October. The three casinos—L’Auberge, Belle of Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino—won a combined $21.8 million last month, up from $21.4 million in October 2013. At $11.2 million, L’Auberge saw its winnings rise 1.6%, while Hollywood won $5.7 million, an increase of 2.7%, and the Belle’s take rose 1.7% to $4.9 million. Access the complete gaming reports.
Under new ownership: Baton Rouge-based American Citadel Guard is one of two guard services firms that are being acquired by Universal Protection Service, a division of Santa Ana, California-based Universal Services of America, which is the fifth-largest security services firm in the country. Universal says American Citadel Guard’s portfolio includes about $25 million in annual revenues, with clients including area manufacturers, refineries, shipping sites, hospitals and high-tech facilities. Universal, which is also acquiring Cincinnati-based Cal Crim Inc., has more details.
Lacing up their running shoes: Of the 20 Republicans that Politico thinks are likely to announce a run for the White House in 2016, the magazine places Gov. Bobby Jindal at No. 3 on its list of the politicians most likely to run. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is No. 1 on the list, followed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Politico writes that Jindal “is already acting like a candidate, touting his education reforms, courting the evangelical vote by hosting a huge pastors’ conference next January, and attacking Hillary Clinton for being partisan on Ebola.” Read the full story.
