Louisiana casinos bring in $236 million in April

Statewide, the 13 riverboat casinos, Harrah’s land-based casino and four racinos brought in $235.8 million during April, according to figures released Monday by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

That’s a 4.8% increase over the $225.1 million gambling properties generated during March.
At the end of March, the state lifted the occupancy caps that had been in effect for most businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association, said it may take a while for the effects of the change to be felt at the state’s gambling halls because of the time it would take to get slot machines and table games back in use.

Even with the lifting of occupancy caps, video poker revenue was virtually unchanged. Machines at truck stops, bars and restaurants brought in nearly $84.7 million in April, a $17,982 increase over March’s total.

Harrah’s New Orleans had an 11.7% increase from $22.4 million to $25.1 million. The Fair Grounds in New Orleans was up 8% from $4.2 million to $4.5 million. Boomtown New Orleans in Harvey was up 4.5% from $12.4 million to $12.9 million; and Amelia Belle casino, 8.6% increase from $3.4 million to $3.7 million. Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner was down by 2.9% from $9.1 million to $8.8 million.

Elsewhere in the state, listed by percentage changes:
L’Auberge Baton Rouge had the biggest percentage increase of any of the state’s gambling properties in April. It was up 18.9% from March, going from $15.1 million to nearly $18 million.

The Belle of Baton Rouge was up 17.2% from nearly $1.6 million to $1.8 million.

Eldorado Resort Casino in Shreveport was up 16.4% from $11.1 million to $12.9 million.

Evangeline Downs in Opelousas had an 8.1% increase from $7.9 million to $8.6 million.

The Fair Grounds in New Orleans were up 8% from $4.2 million to $4.5 million.

L’Auberge Lake Charles had a 5.2% increase from $30 million to $31.6 million.

Golden Nugget Lake Charles was up by 3.4% from $30.7 million to $31.8 million.

Horseshoe Casino Bossier City was up 1.3%, from $16.1 million to $16.3 million.

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City was up 1.2% from $5 million to $5.1 million.

Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City was up 0.8%, from $19.7 million to $19.8 million.

Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge was down 0.2%, or $13,412, to nearly $6.6 million.

Delta Downs in Vinton was down 2.9%, from $17.2 million to $16.7 million.