IN Regulators See Appeal Of Orange Co. Casino Talks - 2004-02-09
State regulators will give Orange County officials three weeks this spring to negotiate directly with the companies that are fighting for the state's single remaining casino license.

The Indiana Gaming Commission plans Friday to temporarily lift a prohibition on direct negotiations with prospective casino operators. That will allow members of an Orange County commission to discuss job projections, development plans and other items that may be key to the winning bid for the French Lick area.
Read the full story at GamblingMagazine.com

Boyd to Merge With Coast Casinos in $1.3 Billion Deal - 2004-02-09
Boyd Gaming Corp. confirmed its plans to amalgamate with privately held Coast Casinos Inc. for approximately $1.3 billion.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Monday the two casino operators planned to unveil a deal that would make Coast a wholly owned unit of Boyd. Coast will operate as a separate unit run by current Coast management.

In a press release Monday, Boyd said it plans to issue about 19.4 million shares to Coast holders, who also will receive about $495 million in cash. The stock part of the transaction has a value of about $325 million, based upon Boyd's 10-day average daily closing price for the period ended Thursday.
Read the full story at Quicken