MOUND – An off-track betting business will reopen here in May under a lease between three Tallulah men and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs track in Bossier City.

Bobby Todd, Trey Varner and Brent Fortenberry are the partners, Todd said. The OTB was closed three years ago by its previous owner, Boyd Gaming of Las Vegas.

The Winner’s Circle of Mound LLC has a six-year agreement with Louisiana Downs that includes a three-year renewal option, Todd said.

A Louisiana Downs spokesman confirmed the deal.

&#8220We are looking to reopen the (off-track betting) in Madison Parish,” Mark Midland said. &#8220But I don’t have too many details right now.”

The Winner’s Circle, a one-story building which is the only structure south of Interstate 20 at the Mound exit, was in business before casinos opened in Vicksburg in 1993 and remained in business for a decade. Mississippi casinos do not offer &#8220sports book” wagering, which includes horse racing.

At the OTB, patrons place bets at betting windows on races at horse tracks nationwide, including Louisiana Downs. Races are then shown live on TV monitors and customers can collect winning wagers as if they were at trackside.

&#8220It’s going to be a little classier,” Todd said of the reopened facility. &#8220It’s going to have a video poker room, sports bar and televisions. Even if you don’t gamble, you can drink a beer, eat, and visit with friends. I think it’s going to be good.”

Realtor Eddie Elledge of Richmond said Todd and others bought the property for $170,000.

&#8220I was going to lease it to Churchill Downs, but Hurricane Katrina nullified my lease,” Todd said. &#8220But I got Louisiana Downs instead. I want to keep it pristine around there, and I hope it will provide a little revenue base.”

The business will employ about 20 people, Todd said, adding an expansion or new location is also possible.

Louisiana Downs was built in 1974, and offers thoroughbred horse racing from May through October.

Margarett Dew, a secretary for the Madison Parish Police Jury, said Louisiana Downs will apply Monday for a license to serve alcohol. An operating license must be obtained from the state, she said.