[LittleOldLady]

Harrah's did not have a hotel and was indeed in the process of building one when the hurricane struck. They did have the policy of comping people with rooms in nearby hotels. However, at the moment housing is very tight in New Orleans, and the available rooms are being used largely to house essential workers. Supposedly trailers will be brought in by FEMA in the next few weeks to house both essential workers and the general public wishing to return to the city to work on their houses. Depending on how fast the trailers are set up (the locations have just been approved by the mayor after much wrangling and NIMBY-ing), the hotel room situation may ease by Mardi Gras--or not. Remembering that it is FEMA's job to get the trailers up and running, I wouldn't hold my breath. I also wouldn't expect any wonderful free/cheap housing deals for poker players at Harrah's any time soon.