The Delaware North team from Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes, W. Va., held a grand reopening ceremony on November 21 to celebrate the property’s $10 million renovation.
“The upgrades that we have made this year are all about enhancing our guest experience and making sure that they have the most enjoyable time possible when they visit us,” said Eric Althaus, Mardi Gras Casino & Resort president and general manager.
Renovations to the 34-year old facility began in January and included structural and aesthetic changes as well as the addition of new slot machines, table games, a high roller’s slot room and promotions stage. The main casino building received a new roof and the café on the main gaming floor doubled in size while also shifting its entrance away from the front doors. Additionally, the Bourbon Street Bar was relocated, and self-serve drink stations were added to the gaming floor.
The interior remodel resulted in a more open floor plan and better sightline for casino guests and the space to add more machines. Althaus said the casino currently has 844 slots, including the classics and new games, with plans in the future for game expansion.
“We can go up to as much as 1,000 (slot machines) with the floor plan that we have right now,” he said. “They (guests) will see slots back that they loved to play. It may not be in the old location as it was, as the entire gaming floor changed, but we have all those same themes along with new themes.”
Delaware North acquired and began operating Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in 2018. Along with a full complement of casino games, the location has a 150-room luxury hotel, three restaurants, entertainment lounge, banquet services and gift shop.
In 2020, plans are underway for new restrooms on the casino floor, renovations to Louie’s Lounge and upgrades to the hotel.
PHOTO CAPTION: Associates look on as Eric Althaus, president and general manager at Mardi
Gras Casino & Resort, cuts the ribbon to celebrate the renovations. Pictured from left to right with Althaus are: Philip Pinson, director of gaming; Steve Carrier, director of facilities; Jessica Glenn, director of food and beverage; Dave Baldwin from Agsten Construction; and Emery Watson, table games manager.