Recently in Louisiana, one casino opened a new million hotel and another celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The new $20 million, five-story, 150-room hotel recently opened at Boomtown Casino New Orleans, owned by Pinnacle Entertainment. One of 15 riverboat casinos in Louisiana, Boomtown’s new hotel created 45 new jobs. Vice President and General Manager Harold Rowland said, “It’s about staying relevant in this business.” Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet noted, “Boomtown has stepped up over the last 20 years,” funding numerous public and nonprofit projects and events. He said the development offers great tax revenue growth potential, including hotel occupancy and sales taxes.
Gamblers at Boomtown New Orleans lost $113.2 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, down 9 percent from $124.8 million the previous year, according to state records. However, year-over-year revenue in December increased by more than 6 percent. Over the past eight years, Boomtown’s revenue fell by nearly half, with adjusted gross revenue of $209.5 million in fiscal 2005-2006.
About 200 miles northwest of New Orleans in Kinder, a 20th anniversary celebration featuring tribal dancers, a sold-out concert by Reba McEntire and cash giveaways totaling $80,000 was held on January 16-18 at the Coushatta Casino Resort, owned and operated by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. Tribal Chairman Lovelin Poncho said, “What could I do to give my people a better life, better education and better economic conditions for the Coushatta Tribe? When the casino opened, I didn’t realize what an impact it would have on the Tribe and Allen Parish.”
The property features more than 2,800 slots and 70 table games, including live poker, plus live bingo and off-track betting. The tribe added the Seven Clans Hotel and the Dream Pool at the property in 2012, and the Grand Hotel, currently undergoing renovation, is scheduled to reopen this spring.
