When it comes to the Louisiana casino industry, they continue to go big in the bayou.
Louisiana's casinos just had their best August in recent years, generating $214.8 million in revenue. This is an 11.5% increase compared to August 2024, when they made $192.7 million.
They also performed really well in July, and put up big numbers in June, showing that the state's gaming industry continues to thrive.
The revenue increases continue, even after Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill to increase taxes on sports betting. The extra money from this tax increase will go to support sports programs at the state's top public universities.
Landry also vetoed a bill in June that would have banned sweepstakes casinos in the Bayou State.
So, what's driving this surge in casino earnings?
Let's take a closer look at some key insights and what they mean for the state’s gaming industry.
Caesars New Orleans Shows Strong Revenue Increases
The latest report from the Louisiana State Police shows that out of the 16 casinos in the state, five made less money compared to last year. One casino's earnings stayed the same, while another casino didn't have a change because it only opened in February this year.
One of the casinos in Louisiana that is having a banner year is Caesars New Orleans. Revenue has not only improved by more than 21% since July, but the year-over-year totals are impressive. The casino is up nearly 37% since this time last year.
The property, formerly known as Harrah’s New Orleans, has been completely transformed. It now has a 115,000-square-foot gaming area with more than 1,300 slot machines and 120 table games.
The World Series of Poker Room features 20 tables and hosts weekly tournaments. Sports fans can enjoy the new Caesars Sportsbook, which has a huge 147-foot video screen. Additionally, a 15-story hotel building was added, offering 340 stylish rooms. This includes a "hotel within a hotel" called the Nobu experience, which has 54 luxury rooms and 12 suites for VIP guests.
Lake Charles: The Star of Louisiana’s Riverboat Casino Scene
Riverboat casinos made $160.9 million in revenue, which is 9.2% more than last year and 6.56% more than in July.
The top performer was L’Auberge Lake Charles, bringing in over $30 million, a 15.7% increase from the previous year. Here's a list of the top three casinos that significantly contributed to Lake Charles' success:
L’Auberge Lake Charles brought in approximately $30.0 million, marking a substantial 15.7% growth from last year.
Golden Nugget Lake Charles wasn’t far behind, contributing about $27.1 million with a 5.6% increase.
Horseshoe Lake Charles brought in just over $7 million in August, but it experienced the biggest growth compared to last year. Its earnings jumped by nearly 33%.
In December 2022, Horseshoe Lake Charles moved onto land after Hurricane Laura damaged its original location. Previously known as Isle of Capri Lake Charles, the casino now offers over 1,000 slot machines, a poker room, hotel rooms, and a sportsbook.
This, combined with an influx of players from neighboring Texas, and the allure of its luxurious casino-resort experiences, is all contributing to the casino's success.
In New Orleans, Treasure Chest Casino, which also moved onto land, brought in $14 million, which is an increase of nearly 13% year-over-year. The Amelia Belle also fared well, but Boomtown New Orleans saw its revenue drop nearly 2% compared to last month, and its down over 4% since last year.
Five out of the six casinos in Shreveport saw double-digit increases compared to the month before.
Only Horseshoe Bossier City experienced a drop, and it was somewhat significant. It was down almost 14% between July and August.
All six of Shreveport's casinos are down year-over-year.
The Queen Baton Rouge is another riverboat that moved its operations on shore. It's up nearly 3% compared to July, but has seen its revenue increase more than 22% since last August.
The Belle on Baton Rouge is finishing its $141 million expansion on land and will rebrand as Bally’s Baton Rouge. It's expected to open in December.
The Road Ahead for Louisiana Casinos
While the August figures are undoubtedly promising, they also underscore the importance of strategic growth and adaptation in the gaming sector.
Not every casino or district shared in the growth equally, hinting at opportunities for further development in areas like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport-Bossier.
Last month will be remembered as a peak for Louisiana’s gaming industry, thanks largely to the stellar performance of the Lake Charles district. As casinos continue to innovate and draw in visitors, Louisiana's gaming scene seems poised for continued growth and success.
