The Red River crested at 37 feet on June 9, meaning the six riverboat casinos in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana most likely would remain open. Still, Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones and State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson said at a news conference atop a riverboat casino that they would maintain a close watch on the situation. Flood stage for the river is 30 feet.
Jones, Edmonson and other officials recently visited Sam’s Town on the Shreveport side of the river and Diamond Jacks and Boomtown on the Bossier City side. Boomtown’s parking lot and lowest garage level were under floodwaters.
Regarding closures or evacuations at the casinos, Jones said, “From our standpoint nothing is more important than the safety of the employees on these boats and the customers.” Riverboat casinos in the area have never closed due to flooding in their 30-year history.
Also at stake are millions of dollars: Louisiana State Police records indicated the riverboats generated a combined $61 million in March and $57 million in April.
