Louisiana’s 13 riverboat casinos, the Harrah’s land-based New Orleans casino and the state’s four racinos brought in a total of $151.1 million in February, down 28.9 percent from the $212.5 million generated the year before.
Louisiana riverboat casinos reported February revenue was down 27.7 percent in February compared to February 2020, according to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. The total includes DiamondJacks in Bossier City, now permanently closed, and Isle of Capri Lake Charles, which has not reopened following Hurricane Laura.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, Louisiana’s casino sector was tracking downward, officials said. They noted some customers have been reluctant to return since casinos reopened, and casino capacity remains limited as part of the state’s efforts to control the spread of Covid-19.
The Shreveport/Bossier market was down almost 33 percent last month compared with February 2020. Sam’s Town had the largest drop in revenue of the remaining open casinos with more than 50 percent. The Lake Charles market fell 27.8. percent and Baton Rouge dropped 14 percent.
The land-based Harrah’s New Orleans casino was the only casino to bring in more in February compared to January, though winnings still were down more than 40 percent from $26.6 million to $15.8 million. Revenue fell 34.5 percent in February compared to February 2020.
The slots at the Fair Grounds racetrack dropped by 34.6 percent to $2.9 million compared to February 2020 winnings of $4.5 million. The three New Orleans-area riverboat casinos posted a 27.6 percent decline in winnings. Boomtown New Orleans winnings dropped by 17.3 percent from $10.7 million to $8.9 million. Treasure Chest had a 35.1 percent drop, from $9.5 million to $6.2 million. The Amelia Belle was closed for a day during the February freeze, reporting a 38 percent drop in winnings, from $3.9 million to $2.4 million.
Statewide, the 13 riverboat casinos, Harrah’s land-based casino and four racinos altogether brought in $151.1 million during February, according to the Louisiana Gaming Board—a decline of 28.9 percent from $212.5 million generated in February 2020.
Also contributing to decreases are capacity, which has been limited to 50 percent due to Covid-19. Also, a hard freeze in February caused several riverboats to close for up to three days and those that stayed open saw fewer customers because of icy roads and closed bridges.
Video poker revenue was down 2.5 percent statewide in February, to $53.6 million from $54.9 million a year earlier.
Revenue at New Orleans gambling halls decreased from $55.2 million to $36.1 million. Baton Rouge’s three riverboat casinos posted a 14 percent drop, with $17.3 million in February compared to $20.1 million in February 2020. Hollywood Casino took in $4.1 million in February, an 8.6 percent drop. L’Auberge Baton Rouge posted $12 million in winnings, a 10.1% decrease. The Belle of Baton Rouge, closed for two days during the freeze, posted a 46.9 percent decline to $1.2 million. Casino Queen, a Midwest riverboat casino operator, recently announced it will buy both the Belle and Hollywood.
Evangeline Downs slots revenue dropped 14.4 percent to $5.4 million. Lake Charles revenue declined by 27 percent to $53.9 million; that market has one less property than a year ago, since Hurricane Laura temporarily shut down the Isle of Capri. Shreveport-Bossier City also is down one riverboat since DiamondJacks shut down in May; it posted $38.2 million in winnings, a 32.8 percent drop.
