In Louisiana, a task force is studying the effects of allowing the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos to move their gambling operations onto land. State-licensed casinos, with the exception of Harrah’s New Orleans, have been on riverboats since they were approved in 1991. The task force will report back to lawmakers before the regular session begins this spring.
Louisiana Casino Executive Director Wade Duty said the move is necessary to compete with casinos in Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. “As these jurisdictions allow their gaming industries to evolve, we have not in 25 years. It would allow a development of more of an entertainment venue, than strictly a gaming facility,” Duty said. He added, “This is simply to get them off of the water. The properties and facilities will be located, essentially, where they presently are. Some of these vessels are now 25 years old, and are nearing the point where they have to be replaced. The economic question: Do you force them to still stay on the water?”
Opponents said the casinos were licensed to operate on the water to prevent them from becoming too large.
