LAS VEGAS (AP) – Boyd Gaming Corp. is buying Peninsula Gaming LLC for $1.45 billion, boosting Boyd’s presence in the Midwest and Louisiana.

The deal announced Wednesday will add five casinos to Boyd’s operations. One is in Kansas, two in Iowa and two in Louisiana.

Boyd Gaming says those markets show some of the strongest growth in the country.

The deal should close by the end of the year. Boyd says it’s lined up the financing it needs for the acquisition. It plans to use $200 million in cash and about $1.2 billion in debt. A note provided by Peninsula for about $144 million will be part of the deal.

CEO Keith Smith says the purchase will immediately boost Boyd’s profits.

Boyd Gaming owns casinos in Nevada, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and New Jersey.