Fair Grounds slots make progress

The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday night that would allow New Orleans voters to determine if Fair Grounds racetrack can operate slot machines.

The bill, which still needs the approval of Gov. Mike Foster, would give Fair Grounds the right to operate 700 slot machines if voters approve the plan later this year. No date has been scheduled yet for the referendum.

Fair Grounds is the only track in Louisiana that does not operate slot machines. Delta Downs in Vinton, La., has used revenues from its slot machines to boost purses from $40,000 a day to $240,000 a day.