In August, the New Orleans casino market posted the largest drop in revenue among the state’s gaming markets—a decline of 36.3 percent compared to August 2019. The market’s three riverboats, Harrah’s New Orleans land-based casino and the slots at the Fair Grounds racetrack brought in $32.2 million, compared to $50.5 million in August 2019, according to Louisiana Gaming Control Board figures.
Statewide, Louisiana’s 14 riverboat casinos, Harrah’s New Orleans and four racinos generated $148.6 million during August, down 31.7 percent from $217.7 million in August 2019 when there were 15 riverboats in operation; DiamondJacks in Shreveport-Bossier City closed.
Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty noted, “Many of our other amenities are closed or severely restricted because of public health concerns so overall revenue is down even greater than that one-third decrease in gaming revenue.” Louisiana casinos have been operating at 50 percent capacity since they were reopened following Covid-19 closures in May. Hurricane Laura caused Lake Charles casinos to shut down on August 25 for a week or more.
In New Orleans, winnings at Harrah’s fell by nearly half to $11.8 million from $23.3 million in August 2019. At Boomtown New Orleans, winnings declined 21.2 percent from $10.1 to $8 million. Treasure Chest winnings decreased 26.3 percent $6.9 million from $9.4 million and the Amelia Belle was down 39.4 percent from $4 million to $2.4 million. The slots at the Fair Grounds racetrack declined by 16.9 percent to $3 million from $3.7 million in August 2019.
In Lake Charles, casino winnings dropped 34.2 percent from $80.7 million in August 2019 to $53.1 million. L’Auberge, Golden Nugget and Delta Downs all have reopened following Hurricane Laura shutdowns. The Isle of Capri will not reopen until early 2021 because the hurricane caused its gambling barge to break loose and caused damage to its land-based casino under construction. “Golden Nugget and L’Auberge and Delta Downs have all reopened but obviously with limited staff and limited operations because of damage sustained primarily to their hotel facilities, but also some of their hotel support services,” said Duty.
Statewide, video poker revenue rose 2.6 percent in August to $53.5 million from $52.1 million, even though video poker revenue from bars and hotels declined by more than 70 percent. Bars were closed in August due to Covid-19, but Governor John Bel Edwards recently announced bars in select parishes may reopen with the approval of parish officials.
The Baton Rouge market turned in the best performance in August. Revenue at the three riverboat casinos fell 11.7 percent from $20.1 million in August 2019 to $17.8 million. Hollywood Casino was down 3.3 percent to $4.4 million from the $4.5 million, L’Auberge dropped 11.7 percent to $12.1 million from $13.2 million and revenue at the Belle of Baton Rouge plunged by 47.2 percent to $1.2 million from $2.4 million.
Revenue from the slots at Evangeline Downs in Arcadiana declined 20.4 percent, from $7 million in August 2019 to $5.6 million. Shreveport-Bossier City reported revenue down 32.7 percent from $59.3 million to $40 million.
