Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Owned and operated by the Tunica-Biloxi tribe, the property’s square footage has grown more than 10 times in two decades, and now includes a 64,000 square foot gaming floor with more than 1,600 slot machines, plus more than 500 hotel rooms, six restaurants, a spa, movie theater, RV park and golf course. A 0 million-plus expansion completed in 2007 added an entertainment venue, movie theater and atrium with a simulated bayou complete with live alligators. More than 40 million people have visited to date.
Marksville Mayor John Lemoine said the casino is a success story “nobody would have believed.” Lemoine noted he and the late former Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Chairman Earl Barbry Sr. used to shoot squirrels on the Paragon site.
“One day, Earl comes into my shop and says, ‘What do you think about a casino across the street?’” Lemoine said. Chris Barbry, Paragon senior vice president and assistant general manager, said, “I don’t think anyone ever thought it would be this big, except my uncle Earl Senior. He always envisioned it.”
Due to the recession and increased competition, casino officials said no future expansions are planned, although Barbry said, “We could easily use another 200-300 hotel rooms. Of course, if you do that, you need to add more parking.”
But, said Tribal Chairman Joey Barbry, Earl’s son, “You never say never.” He added, “It doesn’t seem like 20 years, but it has been. We’re still going strong and we’ll keep going strong. We’ve had our bumps in the road, but they’re behind us and the future looks bright. The best is still ahead of us.”
Still, in its 20 years the casino has benefited Avoyelles Parish in numerous ways. Unemployment has dropped by more than half, to 6.2 percent, with 947 residents unemployed among a population of 41,632. Chief Deputy Tax Assessor Heath Pastor said Avoyelles has experienced “slow, steady growth” over the past 20 years. “The casino has definitely had a positive influence on property values and on commercial development in the parish.”
The casino does not pay property taxes since it’s owned by the tribe and located on tribal property. But, Pastor said, it has provided 1,500 jobs which in turn create a demand for more homes and businesses.
