Harrah’s Entertainment has experienced US$273.3m (£156.3bn, 229.8bn euro) in write-downs on four of its Louisiana and Mississippi gaming properties, offsetting an otherwise successful fourth quarter.

The casino operator reported record fourth-quarter revenues of US$2.1bn (£1.2bn, 1.8bn euro) – an increase of 76 per cent – primarily as a result of last year’s US$9.3bn (£5.3bn, 7.8bn euro) acquisition of Caesars Entertainment combined with Harrah’s on-going businesses in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Harrah’s hurricane-damaged New Orleans casino and Lake Charles hotel – renamed Lake Front Hotel – reopened this month.

New initiatives include a US$175m (£100m, 146m euro) project called The Pier at Caesars in Atlantic City, which is set to open by the end of 2006.

Harrah’s agreement to sell the remaining assets of the Grand Casino Gulfport is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2006, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. The company also plans to develop a resort casino at the former location of the Grand Casino Biloxi.

Elsewhere, Harrah’s proposes to develop a Caesars-branded casino resort in Ciudad Real in Spain as well as in Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Details: www.harrahs.com

Photograph: Reopening of Harrah’s New Orleans