Evangeline bill introduced

A bill that would allow Evangeline Downs to add table games to its slot-machine casino has been introduced at the current session of the Louisiana state legislature.

The bill would enable Evangeline to compete against three nearby Native American gaming facilities, all of which have or will be undergoing multimillion-dollar expansions, according to a release issued by the track on Tuesday. If the bill is passed, a local election in St. Landry Parish would still be necessary to allow the additional gaming.

According to the release, Evangeline has reached an agreement with the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to pay 11 percent of the revenue from the tables games to purses. Based on a model of 20 tables, the new legislation would enable an additional $2.2 million in purse money annually.