Delta closes slots to check the books

VINTON, La. - The slots parlor at Delta Downs was temporarily closed early Wednesday by the Louisiana State Police for the second time in less than a week. The latest closure was to "ensure the accounting systems are continuing to adequately process the large volume of business the property has experienced since its February 13 opening," according to Delta Downs officials.

The parlor was first shut down last Friday after state police found several procedural violations, many directly attributable to the large number of patrons who have frequented the facility since its opening.

"The volume far exceeded our expectations," said Rob Stillwell, a spokesman for Boyd Gaming, which owns Delta Downs, along with 11 other properties. "We really have never seen anything like it."

Boyd is currently hiring additional people to handle the crush of players and has already flown in directors and managers from its other casinos to help run things until the parlor can fill all of its permanent positions, Stillwell said.