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                                  EXHIBIT 10.73

                         SETTLEMENT AND PURCHSE AGREEMENT

    This agreement is entered into between Louisiana Gaming Enterprises, Inc., 
a Louisiana Corporation, Boomtown, Inc., a Delaware Corporation ("Boomtown"), 
and Eric Skrmetta ("Skrmetta"), a limited partner, as of this 18th day of 
November 1996.

RECITALS

    The parties have entered into an Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement 
of Louisiana-I Gaming, a Louisiana partnership in commendam (the 
"Partnership"), on September 16, 1993.  The parties have also entered into an 
Equity Conversion Agreement, a Subscription Agreement, and Power of Attorney as 
of the same date. A Modification Agreement was executed as of August 10, 1993 
to which Eric Skrmetta is a successor in interest to Skrmetta Group, Inc. and 
Skrmetta Machinery Corporation.

    Disagreements have arisen between the parties with regard to the Amended 
Partnership Agreement which disagreement has resulted in the filing of a First 
Restated and Amended Partnership Agreement which disagreement has resulted in 
the filing of a First Restated and Amended Demand for Arbitration with the 
American Arbitration Association, Arbitration No. 79-180-00045-96.

    The parties wish to resolve any and all disputes between each other with 
regard to the Partnership, the Modification Agreement, and the Equity 
Conversion Agreement.

    NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

    1.  In return for the agreement to pay $5,673,000.00, Skrmetta hereby 
        releases Boomtown, Inc., the Partnership, and Louisiana Gaming 
        Enterprises, Inc. from any and all claims, liabilities, causes of 
        action of any kind and nature arising from or relating to the Amended 
        and Restated Partnership Agreement, the Modification Agreement, and the 
        Equity Conversion Agreement, including any and all claims from any 
        third party that was a predecessor in interest to Skrmetta, including 
        the "Approved Designees" as defined in the Modification Agreement.  
        This release is effective immediately.  Further, Skrmetta hereby sells 
        and assigns to Boomtown, his 7.5% Limited Partnership interest in the 
        Partnership free and clear of any liens, encumbrances, or claims, 
        payment to be upon the terms as set for below.  This transfer is 
        subject to all necessary gaming approvals and consent, ("Regulatory 
        Approvals"), and shall take place at a closing to occur within ten (10) 
        days after such Regulatory Approvals.  Subject to the Regulatory 
        Approvals, the time of transfer shall be considered effective November 
        18, 1996.

    2.  Boomtown shall make the following payments in consideration of the 
        release and the purchase of the Skrmetta limited partnership interest:

        a.  $500,000.00 to be paid on or before December 5, 1996;
        b.  $5,173,000.00 to be paid not later than August 10, 1997.


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        The amount set forth in subparagraph (b) shall be reduced by a discount 
        which is calculated on a daily basis based upon the prime rate of 
        interest as charged by the Bank of America, San Francisco branch, for 
        the time that the amount, or any portion thereof, is paid in full prior 
        to August 10, 1997.

    3.  Skrmetta consents to the restructuring of current debt or assumption 
        of additional debt by the Partnership or Boomtown to the extent his 
        consent might be required and agrees to execute any necessary documents 
        reflecting that consent.

    4.  Boomtown, Louisiana Gaming Enterprises, Inc. and the Partnership agree 
        to release Skrmetta from any and all claims, liabilities, or causes of 
        action arising out of any action of Skrmetta related to the Partnership,
        the Modification Agreement, Equity Conversion Agreement (excluding from 
        any release those matters relating to the Mississippi Agreement, defined
        in the Modification Agreement).  This release shall be effective 
        immediately.

    5.  Both parties represent and warrant that they have been represented by 
        lawyers, accountants, and experts of their choosing, and that while 
        there are disagreements existing with regard to the disputes regarding 
        the Partnership, the Modification Agreement, the Equity Conversion 
        Agreement, and the matters set forth in the arbitration, that this 
        Agreement is in settlement of those disputes.  Further, neither part 
        has relied upon the other for any representations or warranties on this 
        matter and each consents to and waives any claims of a breach of 
        fiduciary duty arising from these negotiations.

    6.  Each party signatory hereto represents and warrants that they have full 
        and complete authority to execute and make the Agreement binding upon 
        their respective entities, predecessors, principals, and their 
        affiliates. Skrmetta represents and warrants that the 7.5% limited 
        partnership interest in his entire interest in the Partnership, and 
        that he has not transferred, or agreed to transfer, any of that 
        interest to any person.

    7.  The parties agree to execute each additional documents as are necessary 
        to complete this transaction including, but not limited to, deeds of 
        conveyance, the filing of any and all necessary gaming applications, 
        and any required state partnership filings.

    8.  The parties agree that the costs associated with the arbitration in this
        matter will be split equally between them.  Additionally, each party to 
        this Agreement will bear their own attorneys' fees and costs.

    9.  The parties agree that upon execution of this Agreement, notification 
        will be sent to the American Arbitration Association that the pending 
        arbitration in this matter shall be canceled and that this matter is 
        being withdrawn from arbitration.

   10.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signature.


                                       LOUISIANA GAMING ENTERPRISES, INC.


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BY: /s/ Eric F. Skrmetta               BY:  /s/ Robert F. List
    --------------------                    ------------------
    Eric Skrmetta, individually and as      Robert F. List,
    Limited Partner and on behalf of        Senior Vice President
    Skrmetta Machinery Corporation
    and the Skrmetta Group, Inc.
                                         BOOMTOWN, INC.
BY: /s/ Patrick Patrick, Esq.       BY:  /s/ Robert F. List,
    -------------------------            -------------------
    Attorney for Eric Skrmetta           Senior vice President/Corporate Counsel

BY: /s/ Ed Conway, C.P.A.
    ---------------------
    For Eric Skrmetta