Casino Crime Roundup: Louisiana Casino Closed After Workplace Accident

Posted on: February 9, 2024, 10:57h. 

Last updated on: February 9, 2024, 11:42h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A broken cable caused two workers to suffer injuries at a Louisiana casino on Wednesday, temporarily shuttering the venue.

Belle of Baton Rouge Casino
The Belle of Baton Rouge Casino sign, pictured above. Two workers suffered injuries at the property, forcing the casino to close temporarily. (Image: The Advocate.)

The men were rushed to a local hospital and were reported in stable condition as of earlier this week. That’s following the incident at the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino in Baton Rouge.

One victim suffered fractures and the other had shoulder and elbow pain as of Thursday, according to Baton Rouge TV station WVLA.

According to officials at the Baton Rouge Fire Department, a cable connected to a ramp snapped, causing lights, ceiling fans, and glass doors to fall to the floor. After the incident, the casino was temporarily closed.

Following an unfortunate incident, The Belle of Baton Rouge is closed as we thoroughly assess the situation and make all repairs,” the casino said in a statement, adding that “The health and safety of our guests and team members are always our top priority.”

The Belle of Baton Rouge is a riverboat casino, whose gaming floor is being placed on dry land. The casino is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by CQ Holding.

Baby Dies at Casino-Hotel

Police are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the death of a recently-born baby at Granite Falls, Minnesota’s Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort hotel.

The one-month-old child was found unresponsive on Thursday. The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office was notified at about 6:30 a.m.

EMTs tried to resuscitate the child, but the infant was declared dead at the hotel, according to Bring Me The News, a Minnesota regional news site.

An autopsy will be performed by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.

“The case is currently under investigation, no further information is available at this time,” Upper Sioux Police Chief Dan DeSmet said in a statement.

Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort is a tribal gaming property that’s owned and operated by the Upper Sioux Community.

Burglary Suspect Arrested

A South Dakota man was apprehended this week following a theft at a Rapid City, S.D., gaming property.

Jeffery Engelien, 57, of Black Hawk, S.D., was charged Thursday after Tuesday’s early morning theft, when a safe at Chance’s Casino was broken into. Thousands of dollars were stolen before the suspect fled.

Engelien, who was identified as a former worker at the gaming property, was later charged with third-degree burglary in connection with the incident. More charges are possible.

His case was turned over to local prosecutors.