Louisiana casinos have been shuttered since March 17, when Governor John Bel Edwards ordered them to close through May 1 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, revenue at the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racinos and land-based casino in New Orleans fell nearly 61 percent to $97.1 million in March, compared to $246.3 million in March 2019, according to Louisiana Gaming Control Board data. Video poker revenue fell by “just” 47 percent from $60.8 million to $23.4 million from March 2019 to March 2020.
In the New Orleans area, gambling revenue fell from $59.9 million to $23.5 million month-over-month. Revenue at Harrah’s land-based casino fell the most, by 64 percent, from $29 million to $10.5 million. Fair Grounds racetrack’s slot revenue dropped 51.6 percent, from $4.6 million to $2.2 million.
The market’s three riverboats posted a 59 percent decrease in revenue to $10.8 million from $26.3 million. The Amelia Belle in Amelia was down 63.3 percent to $1.6 million; Treasure Chest decreased 58.9 percent to $4.2 million; and Boomtown New Orleans declined 57.6 percent to almost $5 million.
Baton Rouge’s three riverboats posted revenue of $10 million, down from $23.6 million. L’Auberge, with the largest market share, saw the steepest decline, falling 58.1% to $6.1 million from $14.7 million. The city’s oldest riverboat, the Belle of Baton Rouge, reported a drop in revenue of 57.2 percent, from $3.2 million to $1.4 million. Hollywood Casino’s revenue dropped 56.3 percent to $2.5 million from $5.7 million.
In Lake Charles, the riverboat casinos and the Delta Downs racino posted revenue declines of 61.6 percent to $33.6 million month-over-month for March. Shreveport-Bossier City’s gambling market fell 60.4 percent to $26.9 million, and Acadiana, home of the Evangeline Downs racetrack, dropped 49.3 percent to $3.1 million.
