The Louisiana Gaming Control Board recently released figures for June, showing revenue for the New Orleans gaming market fell 42.9 percent to $25.6 million, compared to $44.8 in June 2019. Most of the state’s casinos reopened in late May following shutdowns due to Covid-19. However, Harrah’s New Orleans and the slots at the Fair Grounds Race Track didn’t reopen until June 13.
The three riverboats in the New Orleans market generated nearly $18.1 million in June, a decline of 20.4 percent from $22.7 million in 2019. Boomtown New Orleans produced in $9 million in June, 5.8 percent less than $9.6 million in June 2019. Treasure Chest was down 27.3 percent to $6.9 million from $9.4 million in 2019. The Amelia Belle’s revenue dropped 40.7 percent from $3.7 million to $2.2 million.
Harrah’s New Orleans produced $5.6 million during the 18 days it was open in June, a decline of 75 percent from $22.4 million in June 2019. The Fair Grounds slots brought in $1.9 million during the few weeks it was open, a drop of 48.7 percent from $3.7 million in 2019.
Statewide, Louisiana’s 14 riverboat casinos, four racinos and Harrah’s New Orleans generated $164.4 million during June–down 19.5 percent from the $204.2 million in June 2019 (the now-closed DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City was included in that total).
Video poker revenue rose 21.6 percent to $60.6 million statewide in June, compared to $49.9 million in 2019, even though restaurants, bars and hotels were closed or operating at lower occupancy.
Still, the gaming industry in Louisiana is struggling. DiamondJacks closed due to Covid-19, putting 349 people out of work. And according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, more than 4,100 casino employees across the state have received layoff notices since the start of the pandemic.
Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty said casinos are working to bring back as many employees as possible. However, people are not traveling as much, leading to lower hotel occupancy rates, and restaurants are limited to 50 percent occupancy. “Those revenues are not tracking as robustly as casino revenues,” Duty said. However, he noted, “We are bumping up against capacity limits, which is a good sign. People are willing to venture out in a safe and controlled manner.”
In other markets, Lake Charles casino revenue dropped by 7.2 percent to $70 million. Shreveport casino revenue fell 16.8 percent to $44.6 million. Evangeline Downs in the Acadiana market posted revenue of $5.8 million, a decline of 17.4 percent.
In Baton Rouge, the three riverboat casinos brought in $18.3 million in revenue during June–a mere 4.5 percent drop from $19.6 million in June 2019 despite operating at reduced capacity due to Covid-19. For most of the month, capacity at the casinos was limited to 50 percent to promote social distancing. L’Auberge revenue declined by 0.3 percent, or $40,166, to $12.3 million compared to June 2019. Hollywood Casino revenue fell 2.5 percent to $4.4 million from $4.5 million. The Belle of Baton Rouge brought in $1.6 million, a 31.4 percent drop from $2.3 million in June 2019.
