The Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force was formed last year to study the state’s casino regulations. Now as it completes its work, one of the recommendations it’s expected to present ahead of next spring’s legislative session is to allow some form of land-based gaming.
Task force and Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones said, “We were one of first states to go with riverboat casino model, and we’re one of the last states to dispose of it. I suspect that’s probably going to be the primary recommendation of the task force.”
Other ideas being discussed are changing casino tax rates and increasing the 30,000 square foot gaming space limit. “There’s no sentiment among members to expand gaming in the state. I’m just hopeful we have an opportunity here to bring some sanity back to that industry,” Jones said.
Under Louisiana law, casinos are required to be floating vessels. Even the $368 million L’Auberge Casino & Hotel in south Baton Rouge technically is a boat with a paddle wheel and deck hands.
The task force heard suggestions from officials of nearly all of the 15 riverboat casinos operating in the state. Wade Duty, the casino industry representative on the task force, said, “Nobody is going to be sympathetic to the gaming industry.” However, he noted the “vast majority” of casino operators probably would move ashore if it were allowed, to develop an “integrated” gaming-retail-dining experience.
Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer said he would be concerned about land-based casinos expanding off-site into other parts of downtown. Jones said even if the rule changed, operators still would be restricted to building next to their current boats.
Governor John Bel Edwards and legislators would have to approve any proposed changes.
