<P> In December 2012, Pinnacle agreed to acquire Ameristar . In order to obtain approval for the merger from FTC antitrust regulators, Pinnacle agreed to the sale of two of the combined company's properties, including Ameristar Lake Charles . A sale agreement was reached with Landry's, Inc., parent company of the Golden Nugget casinos, who agreed to pay the costs expended on the project's development to date . </P> <P> Landry's owner Tilman J. Fertitta announced improvements and upgrades to the property, investing more than $600 million in the project, one of the most expensive construction endeavors in the United States at the time . In December 2013, construction topped out on the 25 - story accommodations tower . Located just two hours from Houston, Fertitta had long desired a casino - resort near the headquarters of Landry's, Inc . </P> <P> The casino opened to the public on December 7, 2014 . </P> <P> The casino floor at Golden Nugget Lake Charles features a 6 - table poker room, 1,600 slot machines, 60 table games and high - limit gaming . </P>

When was the golden nugget in lake charles built