The sale of casino operator Caesars Entertainment to Fertitta Entertainment is expected to shake up the national gaming industry while giving the Texas billionaire behind the deal a growing footprint in Louisiana.
But while the $6 billion sale to Tillman Fertitta may bring changes to the industry, for Caesars New Orleans, the state’s flagship casino at the foot of Canal Street, the deal will likely have little visible impact on day-to-day operations, gaming experts said, noting that the Caesars brand name is very unlikely to change.
Fertitta’s holdings in the national entertainment, food service and gaming sectors already are vast, and in Louisiana include the Golden Nugget Casino in Lake Charles and more than a dozen restaurants under multiple brands, including Landry’s Seafood and Saltgrass Steakhouse.
The acquisition of Caesars Entertainment will also give Fertitta control of Caesars, Harrah’s, Horseshoe and Flamingo casinos as well as Caesars’ online gaming platform and its customer rewards program…