The Cordish Companies recently named gaming industry veteran John J. Chaszar as executive vice president and general manager at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, scheduled to open in Bossier City in early 2025. In his new position, Chaszar will oversee the development, grand opening and daily operations of the $270 million property, the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market.
Most recently, Chaszar served as senior vice president and general manager at Tropicana Casino in Evansville, Indiana, where he led the transition of the property from a floating to a land-based casino.
In his 30-plus years in the industry, Chaszar served as vice president and general manager at Penn Entertainment properties, including Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge, La. and Hollywood Casino Resort in Bay St. Louis, Miss. He also served in leadership positions at Quorum Hotels & Resorts for 13 years in eight locations. His career also took him to Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois and South Carolina.
Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton said, “As the Cordish Companies continues to expand, we are focused on building a team that can deliver the high standards of quality and excellence that have become synonymous with the Live! brand nationwide. We are confident that under John’s leadership, the new Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will become a premier destination offering first-class hospitality and entertainment, exceptional customer service and generating millions of dollars in economic benefits for the Bossier City community for years to come.”
The development is being built on the site of the former Diamond Jacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City, directly across from Shreveport on the scenic Red River, about 20 miles from the Texas border and 40 miles from the Arkansas border.
When opened, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will offer a 47,000-square-foot gaming floor with more than 1,000 slots and electronic table games and 40 live table games and a sportsbook. The property also will feature a 550-room hotel, resort pool and fitness center, 25,000-square-foot multipurpose event center, 30,000-square-foot dining options including Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar and more.
Officials estimates indicate the casino resort will generate $35 million in gaming tax revenue for the city of Bossier and more than $168 million in gaming tax revenue for the state of Louisiana within the first five years of operation. It’s expected to generate $34 million in salaries, wages and tips annually, and create 750 construction jobs and 750 permanent jobs.
