Delaware North acquiring West Virginia’s Mardi Gras

A New York gaming, hotel and entertainment company has agreed to buy the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in West Virginia.

Delaware North announced the agreement along with Hartman and Tyner Inc., owner of the West Virginia casino, resort and dog track.

Terms were not disclosed.

Approvals of West Virginia’s Racing Commission and Lottery Commission are required.

The casino and resort 14 miles west of Charleston has table games, slot machines, live greyhound racing and off-track betting for dog and horse races, restaurants and a 150-room hotel.

Delaware North, based in Buffalo, operates the Wheeling Island Hotelcasino-racetrack in West Virginia, as well as casinos in New York, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas and Arizona.

Duhamel will star in more North Dakota tourism ads

North Dakota’s tourism agency will once again enlist the help of actor and Minot native Josh Duhamel to help lure visitors to the state.

North Dakota’s tourism agency on Wednesday unveiled its $2.9 million marketing plan for 2018. The agency also announced that Duhamel will be paid $365,000 to be the face of the tourism campaign for the next two years.

Duhamel, who’s best known for starring in the “Transformers” movies, already has earned $525,000 since 2013 for his work with the tourism agency.

State Tourism Division Director

Sara Otte Coleman says Duhamel has been a good ambassador, and that his television and other advertising have boosted visits to North Dakota.

The marketing campaign features new TV and print ads.