Lady Luck Casino takes over the former Casino Aztar in Caruthersville

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A new era has begun for the gaming industry in Caruthersville.

On Tuesday, Lady Luck Casino officially changed the chips, cards, game layouts and dice that were formerly owned by Casino Aztar. Isle of Capri Casinos acquired Lady Luck Caruthersville for about $45 million from an affiliate of Kentucky-based Columbia Sussex Corp. on June 10, 2007, but didn't change its name until now.

"Our team members are thrilled to become the first Lady Luck Casino," said Lyle Randolph, general manager of Lady Luck Caruthersville. "We have been busily preparing to rebrand the property, working closely with vendors and the Isle of Capri team to prepare for Lady Luck Caruthersville to welcome its first guests."

Randolph said customers will notice a variety of changes in the coming months.

Throughout the year management plans to add new exterior finishes and interior decor of the casino floor. New features also will be added to the restaurant, including a newly renovated screened back porch, multipurpose bar and a large stone fireplace.

Lady Luck Caruthersville is the first casino property to be transformed as part of Isle of Capri's two-brand strategy.

Randolph said the company is changing the names of its casinos to either Lady Luck or Isle of Capri.

"Locations that are more of a resort location will have the Isle of Capri name while places that have more of a local feel with bare the name Lady Luck," Randolph said.

Caruthersville Mayor Diane Sayre said the casino would continue providing an economic boost to the town's economy, where unemployment mirrors the Pemiscot County rate of 6.1 percent. Sayre explained that Lady Luck Caruthersville is responsible for about 300 jobs and $1.5 million in revenue that provides money for improvements to the town's streets and equipment for its police and fire departments.

"Without the money generated by the casino, we might be forced to look at reductions in services and improvements here," Sayre said. "We're looking forward to our relationship with Lady Luck Casino and know this will be a win-win situation."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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