New York-based Delaware North purchases Mardi Gras Casino & Resort

In a news release on Tuesday, operator and casino owner Delaware North announced that it has signed an agreement with Hartman & Tyner Inc. to purchase to acquire Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes. Terms of the purchase agreement are not being disclosed, according to the news release. The purchase agreement is subject to the approval of the West Virginia Racing Commission and West Virginia Lottery Commission.

Mardi Gras, located near the Cross Lanes exit of Interstate 64, features table games, a poker room, slot machines, live greyhound racing, and off-track betting for both greyhound and horse racing. It also features several restaurants and a 150-room hotel. The track expanded its casino offerings in 2008, as casino gambling was legalized in 2007.

“As a successful family-run company with a long history of operating exceptional gaming and entertainment venues, including in West Virginia, we’re excited about operating a second casino resort in the state and expanding our portfolio of gaming assets,” Brian Hansberry, president of Delaware North’s gaming business, said in the prepared statement. “We look forward to working with Hartman & Tyner and their employees at Mardi Gras toward a smooth transition and in becoming part of the greater Charleston community.”

Delaware North’s Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack offers table games, a poker room, 1,100 slot machines, 151-room hotel, live greyhound racing, a fine-dining restaurant, buffet, 1,000-seat showroom, meeting and banquet services and a gift shop. Delaware North also owns and operates gaming and entertainment venues in New York, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas and Arizona.

Hansberry said Hartman & Tyner has taken great pride in Mardi Gras and has been a successful operator for many years, making the property an appealing acquisition.

Hartman & Tyner provided the following statement: “After the death of one of its principles, Hartman & Tyner has decided to focus on its core business of multifamily real estate in Michigan,” It has been a privilege and a pleasure to operate in this great community for over 25 years. Because it is a family-run company with values similar to ours, Hartman & Tyner is pleased that Delaware North is acquiring Mardi Gras Casino & Resort. We are proud of our history in West Virginia and have every confidence that Delaware North will use its experience and resources to continue Mardi Gras as a premier gaming resort destination.”