The State of Louisiana and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board reported a total of $204.2 million generated in gross gaming revenue from river boat casinos and Harrah’s New Orleans. As the state prepares to expand with commercial casinos on the mainland, Harrah’s New Orleans remains the only property that is not located offshore.
Slow Month of July for Louisiana Casinos
Results on annual basis declined by 8% compared to July 2021 when gross gaming revenue stood at $222 million flat. Online sports betting handle generated $103.3 million resulting in $19.3 million revenue. This amounted to a 18.7% hold of the total, with sportsbooks generating a decent amount last month.
As to retail sportsbooks, the sector remained largely subdued with $15 million in total sports wagers placed with $1.4 million generated in revenue, the regulator said in the update. Out of all casinos, Baton Rouge was the worst impacted property with an annual drop of 15.7%. The Lake Charles properties showed resilience and did well, posting a total of $78.9 million in revenue. This was a nominal decline of 1.5%.
L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles ended up with $31.5 million in gaming revenue. It overtook the Golden Nugget Lake Charles and Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel which posted $31.2 million and $16.2 million respectively.
Then, there were the seven properties in Shreveport and Bossier. The properties saw a decline of 13.1% in the month of July. This put them at $50.9 million in total gaming revenue. Margaritaville Resort Casino ended up with $17.8 million, Horseshoe Bossier City had $13.4 million, and Bally’s Shreveport Casino & Hotel brought up the rear with another $8.1 million in gaming revenue.
Properties Struggle with Amassing Gaming Revenue
New Orleans casinos also took a hit with 7.7% decline. The total revenue stood at $48.1 million for Harrah’s New Orleans ($22.6 million), Boomtown Casino & Hotel ($10.3 million), and Treasure Chest Casino ($8.2 million).
Baton Rouge was not spared an overall decline as well, with riverboat casinos raking in $20 million, which was still a decline of 15.7%. L’Auberge Casino Hotel ended up generating $14.4 million. Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge contributed another $4.4 million with the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino Hotel only posting a modest $1.2 million in the overall results.