Lady Luck Gaming

In 1991, Andrew Tompkins, founder of the Lady Luck Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, wanted to expand locally, but found property in Las Vegas and Laughlin too expensive.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck owner Tompkins to begin Mississippi dock gambling|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Elliot S.|last=Krane|date=February 16, 1992|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:PACB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAEA96F939E1002&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} Instead, he joined many other gaming industry figures in looking to Midwestern and Southern states that were beginning to legalize riverboat casinos.{{cite news|title=Vegas figures eye gambling in other areas|newspaper=The Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|agency=Associated Press|date=August 13, 1991|accessdate=2012-06-16|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB47681F19316F6&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} He revealed plans for a casino in Natchez, Mississippi, in August 1991,{{cite news|title=Miss. officials cautions on gambling|newspaper=The Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|agency=Associated Press|date=August 5, 1991|accessdate=2012-06-17|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB47681F19316F6&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} and went on to open the Lady Luck Natchez in February 1993 at a cost of $8 million.{{cite news|title=Minding Business Column: And down river|first=Fred|last=Faust|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=via NewsBank|date=March 1, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB04E0704E22029&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

After Colorado legalized gambling in three cities in 1991, Tompkins negotiated to buy land for a casino in Central City from the school district,{{cite news|title=School board negotiating casino deal|newspaper=The Denver Post|first=Steve|last=Garnaas|date=October 19, 1991|accessdate=2012-06-17|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB1D1D4A1614075&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5|publisher=via NewsBank}} {{subscription required}} but withdrew from the deal after the city council imposed a 9-month moratorium on new casino development.{{cite news|title=Central City freeze puts deals in limbo|newspaper=The Denver Post|first=Steve|last=Garnaas|date=April 19, 1992|accessdate=2012-06-17|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB1DB43F9DFFA21&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5|publisher=via NewsBank}} {{subscription required}} Instead, Tompkins and the Lady Luck signed on to consult for the financially troubled Gold Coin Saloon and Casino in Central City,{{cite news|title=Colo. casino gets help from Vegas' 'Lady Luck'|newspaper=The Denver Post|first=Steve|last=Garnaas|date=October 31, 1992|accessdate=2012-06-17|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB1DB49AE23CE29&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5|publisher=via NewsBank}} {{subscription required}} which turned into an agreement in March 1993 for Tompkins to buy the property.{{cite news|title=Owner of Las Vegas casino plans to buy Central City's Gold Coin|newspaper=Rocky Mountain News|first=Steve|last=Caulk|publisher=via NewsBank|location=Denver|date=March 19, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-17|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:RMNB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB4DC416D3CC532&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

Under the terms of Tompkins's deal with the Gold Coin's owners, American Casino Group Inc. was formed in February 1993 to hold the Lady Luck gaming ventures, except for the Las Vegas property.{{cite report|title=Form 10-K|date=March 31, 1997|accessdate=2012-06-23|publisher=Lady Luck Gaming|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906527/0000906527-97-000003.txt|at=The Company and Basis of Presentation}}{{cite news|title=Lady Luck Gaming: Initial Public Offering of Common; NASDAQ Symbol|newspaper=S&P Daily News|publisher=via LexisNexis Company Dossier / Analyst Reports|date=October 15, 1993|url=https://w3.lexisnexis.com/dossier/companyreporting/reportfs.do?prod=CD&cdcomp=4248b586febfcc69303c31abead0b912%3A6_T474570083&entityId=79557216&host=Rosetta_US_Academic}} {{subscription required}} The company's name was changed to Lady Luck Gaming in July.

Lady Luck embarked on a strategy of moving into new gaming jurisdictions quickly with modest investments, planning to open riverboat casinos with no hotels or other extensive land-based facilities.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck Gaming sells notes to raise $185 million to expand|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|publisher=via NewsBank|first=David|last=Klein|agency=Bloomberg|date=February 18, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-23|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF948B8C9BC9B6&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

In May 1993, the company entered into an agreement with developer Charles Lambert, taking a 68 percent stake in a joint venture to build the Lady Luck of Baton Rouge.{{cite news|title=Developer throws dice in riverboat permit gamble|newspaper=The Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Curt|last=Eysink|date=May 4, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-21|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB4774A0F2192DC&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} The proposal faced a tough licensing battle, as the Louisiana Riverboat Gaming Commission had allotted only two casino licenses for the Baton Rouge area, and had already given preliminary approval to two applicants. Lambert and Tompkins planned to renovate the historic Capitol House Hotel, which they bought in November for $2 million, for use as a terminal for a casino boat.{{cite news|title=Riverboat gambling hopeful purchases Capitol House Hotel|newspaper=The Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|date=November 3, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-21|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Curt|last=Eysink|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB47769463AC264&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} After failing in legal maneuvers to dislodge one of the two licenses, though, Lady Luck sold out its share of the project to Lambert in September 1994.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck Casino gambles with licensing decision|newspaper=The Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Curt|last=Eysink|date=September 23, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-21|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB477A6D565BC73&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

By June 1993, three more casinos were in the licensing process in Mississippi, in Tunica, Gulfport, and Biloxi.{{cite news|title=9 make priority list for Tunica casino licenses|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|first=Sarah C.|last=Campbell|location=Memphis|date=June 15, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-18|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF94499BD9C630&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} The Lady Luck Tunica in Mhoon Landing opened September 18, at a cost of $29 million,{{cite news|title=Stock: Investors buy up Lady Luck as casino firm goes public|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|first=Laurel|last=Campbell|date=September 30, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-18|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF9464D5A8AAFD&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} and the Lady Luck Biloxi opened in December.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck will stay in Tunica, chief says|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|first=Laurel|last=Campbell|date=December 29, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-19|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF947810B0888A&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

Lady Luck Gaming planned its initial public offering for August 1993, but postponed it because of the effect the Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood could have on riverboat gaming stocks.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck renews plan for initial public offer|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|agency=Bloomberg|date=September 14, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF94601D931303&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5|publisher=via NewsBank}} {{subscription required}} The offering was completed the next month.

The company in August 1993 proposed a $56-million hotel and casino in Jefferson County, Missouri, just outside Kimmswick.{{cite news|title=Board gets proposals for casinos|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=August 13, 1993|accessdate=2012-06-22|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB04E37A20296C2&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} The project stalled as the Missouri Gaming Commission adopted a "wait-and-see"{{cite news|title=Area to get just one gambling riverboat|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau|date=June 19, 1996|accessdate=2012-06-22|first=B. Ray|last=Owen|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JcQfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ddgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5436%2C7117165}} approach to distributing the state's limited set of gaming licenses.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck riverboat remains in dry dock|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|first=Roy|last=Malone|publisher=via NewsBank|date=June 15, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB083132E267870&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} The license was finally approved in 2000,{{cite news|title=State panel backs Jefferson County casino|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|first=Carolyn|last=Tuft|publisher=via NewsBank|date=July 27, 2000|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB0528A6EF20B82&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} after Isle of Capri had acquired Lady Luck, but the company abandoned the project a year later in the face of local opposition and potential lawsuits.{{cite news|title=Casino proposal is scrapped|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Tim|last=Rowden|date=September 24, 2001|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EEBD1418FC27458&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

In February 1994, Lady Luck, already heavily in debt, raised $185 million by issuing mortgage notes, stating that it could not afford to wait for existing properties to provide the funding for projects in new markets.

The same month, Lady Luck proposed a $210-million hotel and riverboat casino in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in a bid for the single gaming license allocated to Dearborn County.{{cite news|title=Gaming firms pitch the public|newspaper=Cincinnati Post|publisher=via NewsBank|date=February 12, 1994|first=Douglas|last=Bolton|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB0314CECD7AE9C&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} The city council backed three other bids in June, demurring to Lady Luck's proposal because it was located outside of city limits,{{cite news|title=Lawrenceburg shuns Schilling offer|newspaper= Cincinnati Post|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Douglas|last=Bolton|date=June 9, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB0316F507AD35F&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} and the state ultimately awarded the license to a group led by Argosy Gaming.{{cite news|title=Indiana commission approves two more riverboat casinos|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Thomas P.|last=Wyman|date=July 2, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CPDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB031F933509CFE&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

Two more Missouri casinos were proposed in 1994, for Cape Girardeau{{cite news|title=Lady Luck cleared of complaint|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau|first=Jay|last=Eastlick|date=January 21, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=irUfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JdcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2289%2C2569112 }} and St. Charles County,{{cite news|title=St. Charles County inviting for casinos|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=via NewsBank|date=February 26, 1994|first=Al|last=Stamborski|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB04E7AB8AA4219&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} but the Cape Girardeau City Council in March gave its backing to a competing plan by Boyd Gaming,{{cite news|title=Boyd Gaming wins the draw|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau|first=Jay|last=Eastlick|date=March 8, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eLIfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KtcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1610%2C1032506}} and the St. Charles County Council dropped Lady Luck from consideration in May,{{cite news|title=Council picks 3 as finalists in casino bid|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Tommy|last=Robertson|date=May 27, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB04E94A6DFF804&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} ultimately backing a proposal by Jumer's.{{cite news|title=Jumer's wins bid for casino|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Ralph|last=Dummit|date=August 30, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB04EB43068DA0E&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} Within weeks of the Cape Girardeau rejection, Lady Luck moved on to nearby Scott City, proposing a $63-million hotel-casino.{{cite news|title=Scott City hears gambling bids|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau|date=March 22, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-22|first=Cathryn|last=Maya|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g7IfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KtcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1481%2C3021166}} The plan won the endorsement of the city council,{{cite news|title=SC, Lady Luck OK contract|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau|first=Cathryn|last=Maya|date=July 19, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Za8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IdcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2657%2C2550315}} but was stalled by the Gaming Commission's deliberative pace.{{cite news|title=Casino effort remains alive|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau|first=Mark|last=Bliss|date=July 24, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=soowAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gtwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3334%2C3505990}} No licensing decision had been made by the time of the company's acquisition.{{cite news|title=No more flirting with Lady Luck|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|location=Cape Girardeau|first=B. Ray|last=Owen|date=December 23, 2000|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6rsvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OtwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4687%2C8748972}}

The Tunica casino closed after less than a year due to declining attendance,{{cite news|title=Lady Luck shuts for relocation|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Biloxi|agency=Associated Press|date=April 24, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-18|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF949D390E4ACF&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} and the barge was relocated to Coahoma County, where it opened in June 1994 as the Lady Luck Rhythm & Blues.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck to open relocated casino|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|agency=Associated Press|date=June 26, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-19|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF94AC8F6F5449&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} An entertainment pavilion and a second barge, the Country Casino, were opened at the site in May 1996.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck opens big expansion|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|publisher=via NewsBank|date=May 24, 1996|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F7B89350BAE4BCC&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}{{cite report|title=Form 10-K|publisher=Lady Luck Gaming|page=3|date=March 31, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906527/0000906527-99-000003.txt}} An accompanying 120-room hotel across the bridge in Helena, Arkansas was acquired two months later,{{cite news|title=Miss. casino interest buys hotel in Ark.|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|publisher=via NewsBank|date=July 7, 1996|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F7B896B639777E5&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} and the 314-room Country Hotel opened on-site in 1999.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck site has new hotel|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|publisher=via NewsBank|date=May 4, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F7BE3703483D602&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

Another casino, the Lady Luck Olympia, was planned for Robinsonville (now Tunica Resorts), closer to Memphis.{{cite news|title=Competition: Lady Luck plans two moves|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis|date=April 5, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-18|first=Kevin|last=McKenzie|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CMAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF94982A0CC754&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5|publisher=via NewsBank}} {{subscription required}} The site's hotel opened in August 1994,{{cite news|title=The TIcker: Lady Luck|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=February 10, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-19|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB4221016D2901A&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} but with Lady Luck running short on money, the casino, along with another property planned for Vicksburg, were put on hold,{{cite news|title=Casino company halts projects in Mississippi|newspaper=The Times-Picayune|location=New Orleans|first=Mike|last=Hughlett|date=August 26, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-19|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:TPIC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FA806125B43B57F&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} until a joint venture agreement was reached with Bally Entertainment. Bally moved its casino barge from Mhoon Landing to the Robinsonville site and opened it as Bally's Saloon in December 1995,{{cite news|title=New casino opens|newspaper=The Times-Picayune|location=New Orleans|date=December 19, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-19|publisher=via NewsBank|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:TPIC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FA5C2AE3813750A&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} with Lady Luck owning a 35 percent stake in the complex.

In July 1994, Lady Luck announced an agreement for a joint venture to open a casino and outlet mall in Bettendorf, Iowa, in the Quad Cities, with Bettendorf Riverfront Development Co., a company owned by the family of Isle of Capri founder Bernard Goldstein.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck to open riverboat casino in Iowa|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|publisher=via Factiva|date=July 20, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-23|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=lvgs000020011102dq7k001o6&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required}}{{cite news|title=Goldstein joins group that will buy Florida track|newspaper=Quad-City Times|publisher=via Factiva|first=Lee|last=Nelson|date=February 4, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-23|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=xqct000020011027dr240000f&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required}} Lady Luck Bettendorf opened the following April.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck opens riverboat casino|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|publisher=via Factiva|date=April 22, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-23|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=lvgs000020020430dr4m000f2&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required}} A hotel was added in August 1998.{{cite press release|title=Lady Luck Gaming Corp. reports third-quarter results|publisher=Lady Luck Gaming (via Factiva)|date=October 22, 1998|accessdate=2012-06-23|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=bwr0000020010915duam02qxi&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required}}

In August 1994, the company announced bids for two of ten gaming licenses available in Greece, one in conjunction with the city of Loutraki, and the other in Patras, in partnership with a local hotel.{{cite press release|title=Lady Luck Gaming Corp. announces second quarter results and revised development plan|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/LADY+LUCK+GAMING+CORP.+LETTER+TO+SHAREHOLDERS-a015681106|date=August 8, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-21|publisher=Lady Luck Gaming Corp.}} Both projects were abandoned by the end of the year.{{cite report|title=Form 10-K|publisher=Lady Luck Gaming|date=March 31, 1997|accessdate=2012-06-22|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/906527/0000906527-97-000003.txt|at=Project Development Cost Write-Downs}} Agreements were also announced for Lady Luck to develop three tribal casinos, with the Santa Ana Pueblo near Albuquerque, the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe at Lake Havasu, and the Coquitlam Band near Vancouver,{{cite news|title=Lady Luck Gaming in pact to develop site near Vancouver, BC|newspaper=Dow Jones News Service|publisher=via Factiva|date=January 17, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-30|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=dj00000020011024dr1h009wp&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required}} but the Santa Ana tribe withdrew from its agreement because of Lady Luck's weak financial condition,{{cite news|title=Tribe ends Lady Luck deal due to fin'l condition|newspaper=Select Federal Filings Newswire|publisher=via Factiva|date=July 11, 1995|accessdate=2012-06-30|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=ff00000020011025dr7b01j9r&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required}} and the two other partnerships were never realized either.

Also in August 1994, the company partnered with Edward Carroll, Jr., owner of Riverside Park in Agawam, Massachusetts, in a proposal to build a hotel and dockside casino complex at the theme park, one of several competing casino proposals in the state.{{cite news|title=Weld approves WMass casino|newspaper=The Union-News|location=Springfield, MA|first=Ford|last=Turner|date=August 24, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-24|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SUNB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F2F0C59DF1995FD&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5|publisher=via NewsBank}} {{subscription required}} The plan died after Agawam voters rejected a non-binding referendum in support of casino gambling in November.{{cite news|title=Casinos vote final, Weld says|newspaper=The Union-News|location=Springfield, MA|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Ford|last=Turner|date=November 10, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-24|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SUNB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F2F0C9D59C528C0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

Plans for Lady Luck Gulfport were suspended in October 1994 due to saturation of the Gulf Coast casino market and a lawsuit by the neighboring Gulfport Yacht Club.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck puts off plans for Gulfport|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi|publisher=via NewsBank|date=October 27, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-19|first=Louise|last=Taylor|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BSHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB6231CD717E2F4&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}{{cite news|title=Lady Luck dealt a setback|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Louise|last=Taylor|date=August 3, 1994|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BSHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB622FAF70AC8B6&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}

In 1997, Lady Luck sold its share of Bally's Saloon to Hilton Hotels, which had bought Bally Entertainment the year before, for $15 million cash.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck sells interest in Bally's|newspaper=The Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|publisher=via NewsBank|agency=Associated Press|date=November 7, 1997|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB4787D909EADA6&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} Another agreement that year put Lady Luck in a joint venture with Horseshoe Gaming to develop the site in Vicksburg,{{cite news|title=Horseshoe, Lady Luck OK Vicksburg casino-hotel deal|newspaper=The Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|agency=Associated Press|publisher=via NewsBank|date=August 31, 1997|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSAB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB47870E1A963A7&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} but the project never came to fruition. The Lady Luck Biloxi, losing money and lacking space to expand,{{cite news|title=Struggling Lady Luck seeks help|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi|first=Dave|last=Palermo|publisher=via NewsBank|date=January 8, 1998|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BSHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB62513EFCD0AB9&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} was sold the following year to Grand Casinos, owner of the neighboring Grand Casino Biloxi, for $15 million and closed.{{cite news|title=Agents prepare for Luck's closing|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi|first=Dave|last=Palermo|publisher=via NewsBank|date=June 7, 1998|accessdate=2012-06-19|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BSHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB625517AD7B127&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}} The Lady Luck Central City, also losing money, was sold in 1998 as well, to its mortgage holder, J.D. Carelli, for $2.75 million in forgiven debt.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck Gaming sells site|newspaper=Dow Jones News Service|date=February 20, 1998|accessdate=2012-06-19|publisher=via Factiva|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=dj00000020010916du2k01mpn&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required}}

In August 1999, the company agreed to buy the Miss Marquette riverboat in Marquette, Iowa from Sodak Gaming for $42 million,{{cite news|title=Casino sells for $42 million|newspaper=The Telegraph-Herald|location=Dubuque, IA|date=August 6, 1999|first=Renee|last=Berg|accessdate=2012-06-24|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3mNfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5VwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6345%2C993593}} and separately, the Lady Luck trademark and the Las Vegas property from Tompkins for $45.5 million.{{cite news|title=Corporation to acquire downtown property|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=August 20, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1999/aug/20/corporation-to-acquire-downtown-property/}} The company's financial advisers expressed doubt, though, that funding could be secured at an acceptable cost.{{cite news|title=Lady Luck chief executive set for $74 million payday after merger|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|first=David|last=Strow|date=December 17, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-24|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1999/dec/17/lady-luck-chief-executive-set-for-74-million-payda/}}

Within weeks of the announcement of the deal with Tompkins, Isle of Capri Casinos made an unsolicited offer to buy Lady Luck Gaming, attracted by the fact that it would now control its name and would no longer make royalty payments to Tompkins. An agreement was reached in October, at a total value over $400 million.{{cite news|title=Isle of Capri will acquire Lady Luck Gaming in $400 million deal|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|first=Matt|last=Moore|date=October 6, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-24|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1999/oct/06/isle-of-capri-will-acquire-lady-luck-gaming-in-400/}} With the help of a $16 million loan from Isle of Capri, Lady Luck completed the acquisition of the Miss Marquette in November.{{cite news|title=Las Vegas company buys Miss Marquette|newspaper=The Telegraph-Herald|location=Dubuque, IA|date=November 6, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-23|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vp9dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7FwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1404%2C825076}} The merger was completed in March 2000, with Isle of Capri paying $59 million for Lady Luck's common stock, $22 million to redeem preferred stock, and $177 million in assumed debt.{{cite news|title=Isle joins billion-dollar club|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, MS|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Charles|last=Busby|date=March 3, 2000|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BSHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB6222FE9658B0F&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required}}{{cite report|title=Form 10-K405/A|publisher=Isle of Capri Casinos|date=August 1, 2000|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/863015/000086301500000026/0000863015-00-000026.txt|at=Item 1. Business}} On the same day, Isle of Capri closed on purchases of the other half of the Bettendorf property from Goldstein's family for $62 million,{{cite news|title=Company news: Isle of Capri Casinos is in deal to buy Lady Luck Gaming|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 7, 1999|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/07/business/company-news-isle-of-capri-casinos-is-in-deal-to-buy-lady-luck-gaming.html}} and the Lady Luck trademark from Tompkins for $31 million. Six months later, it completed the purchase of the Lady Luck in Las Vegas for $14.5 million.{{cite report|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/863015/000086301501500005/0000863015-01-500005.txt|title=Form 10-K405|at=Liquidity and Capital Resources|publisher=Isle of Capri Casinos|date=July 30, 2001|accessdate=2012-06-16}} All of the casinos were rebranded under the Isle of Capri name,{{cite report|title=Form 10-K405|publisher=Isle of Capri Casinos|page=1|date=July 30, 2001|accessdate=2012-06-24|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/863015/000086301501500005/0000863015-01-500005.txt}} except the Lady Luck Las Vegas, which was sold in 2002 to a group of real estate investors.{{cite news|title=Casino changes owners|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|first=Liz|last=Benston|date=October 31, 2002|accessdate=2012-06-16|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2002/oct/31/casino-changes-owners/}}

In 2009, the company revived its Lady Luck brand name for smaller properties with limited amenities, while keeping the Isle of Capri brand for its full-service properties (typically with hotel rooms, convention facilities, and expanded dining options).{{cite report|title=Form 10-K|publisher=Isle of Capri Casinos|date=June 25, 2009|accessdate=2012-06-24|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/863015/000104746909006505/a2193533z10-k.htm|page=2}}

Casinos owned at some point, in whole or in part, by Lady Luck Gaming:

{{reflist|35em}}

Category:Defunct gambling companies

Category:Defunct companies based in Nevada

Category:Companies based in Las Vegas

Category:Gambling companies established in 1991

Category:Gambling companies disestablished in 2000

Category:1991 establishments in Nevada

Category:2000 disestablishments in Nevada