Gambling In Louisiana Casinos
The Harrah’s Casino & Hotel of New Orleans is one of the biggest casinos with a stunning offer of over 1,700 slot machines, 170 tables and a poker room of 20 tables. Not less than 450 hotel rooms and 9 restaurants are also featured within the establishment. Main city of Louisiana, New Orleans is also its touristic center. With the largest gaming floor in Southwest Louisiana, there’s plenty of gaming space to play your favorite slots and table games while practicing safe social distancing! Experience the thrills and excitement of the largest gaming floor in the region, featuring the games you like, the jackpots you love, and the personal service you deserve! Casino Gambling Age in Louisiana. The minimum age for gambling in Louisiana is 21 years old. A minor is allowed to enter a casino but cannot consume alcohol or be in any of the designated gaming areas. There are penalties in place for anyone caught to be breaking. Casinos in Louisiana Louisiana is home to three types of casinos: riverboat casinos, Native American casinos, and one land-based casino. In 1991 Louisiana approved riverboat casino gambling, it was actually the fourth state in the U.S. In 1991 the law only allowed for a maximum of 15 riverboats to operate statewide. Try your luck at some of the best Louisiana Casinos. Stay & play at one of 4553 casino hotels in Louisiana and let the games begin.
- Gambling In Louisiana Casinos Open
- Gambling In Louisiana Casinos Shreveport Bossier
- Sports Betting In Louisiana Casinos
- Gambling In Louisiana Casinos
Introduction to Louisiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Louisiana slot machine casino gambling consists of 24 casinos including 16 commercial casinos, four tribal casinos, four pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines, and numerous small businesses across Louisiana.
Theoretical payout limits exist and monthly return statistics are available for non-tribal sites.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Louisiana*
The minimum legal gambling age in Louisiana depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 21
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Louisiana has had a long history of illegal casinos, with the state alternating between raiding illegal casino operations and ignoring them. Eventually, pari-mutuel wagering received state-approval in the 1920s. The collapse of the state’s oil-based industry in the 1980s led to the extended presence of legalized gambling.
Louisiana was the fourth U.S. state to legalize riverboat casinos, approved by the state in 1991 along with the return of the state lottery. In 1992, an added provision allowed a land-based casino in New Orleans.
Negotiations began in 1993 for state-tribal compacts with Louisiana’s three federally-recognized American Indian tribes. A fourth American Indian tribe, federally-recognized in 2002, also negotiated a state-tribal compact. Each tribe opened their own tribal casino.
In 1997, efforts by the three pari-mutuel racetracks to add slot machines to their facilities were successful. Later, a fourth track received similar approval.
The gaming industry has become an important part of Louisiana’s culture and economy. Video bingo is the primary type of electronic gaming machine available.
However, the wording used in some parts of the state gaming regulations is ambiguous. For example, a loose definition for “truck stops” has allowed the addition and spread of video poker machines at many businesses across the state.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Louisiana
In Louisiana, it is legal to own a slot machine privately if it is 25 years old or older.
Gaming Control Board in Louisiana
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates the gaming industry in Louisiana. The LGCB works closely with the Gaming Enforcement Division within the Louisiana State Police.
Casinos in Louisiana
There are 20 non-tribal casinos, four American Indian tribal casinos, four pari-mutuel racetracks, and 12,903 video poker machines at 1,634 retail businesses in Louisiana.
Gambling In Louisiana Casinos Open
The largest casino in Louisiana is Coushatta Casino Resort with 2,800 gaming machines and 70 table games.
The second-largest casino is Paragon Casino Resort with 2,200 gaming machines and 44 table games.
Commercial Casinos in Louisiana
The 20 commercial casinos in Louisiana including 15 riverboat casinos, four pari-mutuel sites with slot machines, and one land-based casino:
- Amelia Belle Casino in Amelia located 79 miles west of New Orleans.
- Belle of Baton Rouge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge located 81 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- Boomtown Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Boomtown New Orleans in Harvey located 11 miles south of New Orleans.
- Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in Vinton located 140 miles northeast of Galveston, TX.
- DiamondJacks Casino Hotel Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport located 217 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in Opelousas located 137 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots in New Orleans.
- Golden Nugget Lake Charles located 162 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
- Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City located 210 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
- Harrah’s New Orleans Casino & Hotel.
- Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge located 83 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- Horseshoe Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles located 163 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
- L’auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge located 75 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- L’auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles located 163 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
- Margaritaville Resort Casino Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
- Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino Shreveport located 216 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
- Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner located 15 miles northwest of New Orleans.
Tribal Casinos in Louisiana
There are four tribal casinos in Louisiana:
- Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder located 199 miles west of New Orleans.
- Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel in Charenton located 117 miles west of New Orleans.
- Jena Choctaw Pines Casino in Dry Prong located 201 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville located 163 miles northwest of New Orleans.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Louisiana slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Louisiana is:
- North: Arkansas Slots
- East: Mississippi Slots
- South: Gulf of Mexico
- West: Texas Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Louisiana.
Our Louisiana Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Louisiana? If so, join our new Louisiana slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Louisiana. Join us!
Payout Returns in Louisiana
Theoretical payout limits are:
- 80% to 99.9% at non-tribal casinos.
- 80% to 94% for video poker machines at retail locations.
- Not available for tribal casinos.
Monthly return statistics are within Louisiana’s Gaming Enforcement Division Gaming Board’s Revenue Reports. Further, these reports offer return statistics for each slot machine denomination.
However, statistics are reported for non-tribal casinos statewide as well as within only four state regions with casinos sorted by region as follows:
- Baton Rouge Region: Belle of Baton Rouge, Evangeline Downs, Hollywood, and L’auberge Baton Rouge.
- Lake Charles Region: Delta Downs, Golden Nugget, Isle of Capri, and L’Auberge Lake Charles.
- New Orleans Region: Amelia Belle, Boomtown New Orleans, Fair Grounds, Harrah’s, and Treasure Chest.
- Shreveport/Bossier Region: Boomtown Bossier, DiamondJacks, Eldorado, Harrah’s LA Downs, Horseshoe, Margaritaville, and Sam’s Town.
The October 2019 report shows a state-wide return of 90.3% for all commercial casinos. Each region had the following player’s win percentages:
- Baton Rouge Region: 90.2%
- Lake Charles Region: 90.6%
- New Orleans Region: 90.1%
- Shreveport/Bossier Region: 90.3%
- State-wide: 90.3%
The slot machine denomination with the highest and second-highest win percentages for each region were:
- Baton Rouge Region: 50-cent at 97.9% and $2 at 92.6%.
- Lake Charles Region: $100 at 95.1% and both 5-cent and $10 at 93.1%.
- New Orleans Region: $500 at 120.8%, $50 at 101.6%, and 5-cent at 93.8%.
- Shreveport/Bossier Region: $25 at 93.2% and 2-cent at 92.89%.
- State-wide: $500 at 120.8% and 50-cent at 92.9%.
These reports helpfully include the number of slot machines with each denomination. For instance, there are only eight $2-denomination machines in the Baton Rouge Region where their average player win% is the second-highest for that region. So few $2 slot machines improves the likelihood of locating and playing these high-odds machines.
Less helpful are the limited monthly return statistics available from the Louisiana Gaming Board’s Revenue Reports separated by casino type. Unfortunately, these return statistics reports have insufficient information to calculate player’s win percentages:
Summary of Louisiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Louisiana slot machine casino gambling consists of 24 casinos including sixteen riverboat casinos, four tribal casinos and four pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines. Further, there are 12,903 legal video poker machines at 1,634 retail locations across the state.
Minimum and maximum theoretical payout limits exist for the non-tribal gaming locations. Return statistics exist for commercial casinos in four state regions, including for each slot machine denomination. Louisiana’s tribal casinos do not have theoretical payout limits nor do they offer return statistics.
Annual Progress in Louisiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, Harrah’s New Orleans went from second-largest casino to seventh place when they more than halved their slot machines from 3,800 to 1,500.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: Kentucky Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Maine Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
I have an affinity for the state of Louisiana. I’m from Texas, so there’s bound to be some cross over in culture. I have Cajun family members, I love JazzFest, and I adore New Orleans.
What I didn’t realize is how much I love gambling in this state full of Southern charm and history.
Gambling In Louisiana Casinos Shreveport Bossier
Did you know that Louisiana was the 4th state to legalize casino gambling?
The History of Casinos and Gambling in Louisiana
Louisiana is a state that has changed hands many times. The French and Spanish fought over it for years after they essentially took it from the native tribes living there.
New Orleans, Louisiana’s most notable city, built cabarets and billiard halls before the first church was completed. When St. Louis Church, formerly St. Louis Cathedral, was finished in 1727, the citizens chose to gamble rather attend mass.
Here’s a side note:
Because of the colonialism in the area, Catholicism is prevalent. Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday are state holidays in the state. It’s serious business.
Louisiana was part of the Louisiana Purchase made by the United States on April 30th, 1803. You’ve probably heard of the massive land purchase by the Jefferson government from the French.
Real money gambling in Louisiana coincides with its rich history. The first legal gambling in the then territory was a government-run lottery in 1753.
That’s 26 years before the United States Constitution was ratified by Congress.
Casino gambling in New Orleans remained legal and flourished in the Crescent City. In 1866, the now State of Louisiana finally banned all casino gambling, including NOLA.
The first state lottery was held in 1866. This coincides with the state outlawing all other forms of gambling.
The state lottery was a big hit with the Louisianans. A private company ran the operations of the early version of the Louisiana lottery, paying the state $40,000 in proceeds.
The LA lottery allowed ticket purchases from out of state residents via mail. This gave the State of Louisiana an almost monopoly on lotteries in the United States.
This was considered legal until the US Congress deemed it illegal in 1890. The Louisiana Lottery became so toxic that the state disbanded the entire program in 1893.
Horse racing has legalized in 1923, making the state a destination for live horse racing. The first betting horse track in the state was at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. This was the only regulated form of gambling in the entire state at the time.
In 1993, Louisiana reintroduced a state lottery that was riddled with glitches and corruption. I’ll write about this Louisiana Lottery scandal in detail another time.
In the same year, 1993, casinos became legal again in the state. 15 casino licenses were issued for offshore (riverboat) casinos.
The attempt to confine casinos to riverboats was to limit the influence casinos would have if on land. The idea was to also limit the player’s time to length of a cruise. A riverboat cruise is usually around two hours.
two of the 15 casino licenses could be on land. One was in downtown New Orleans and a Harrah’s location.
Harrah’s land-based casino was given a state requirement to employ 2,400 workers form the local economy. They have run into other issues as well.
Originally, they were not permitted to have a hotel because the legislature felt this would have an unsavory influence on tis surrounding community.
This is hilarious; Louisiana is home to Mardi Gras. Talk about debauchery.
And they were concerned about a hotel for the casino guests?
Louisiana is now home to almost 60 riverboat and land-based casinos. As part of the Indian Regulatory Act, 4 native tribes have opened 6 casinos. New Orleans has the highest per capita for casinos at 5.
My Two Favorite Casinos in Louisiana
Louisiana is not a big state — especially when compared to my home state of Texas. Louisiana is just 52,378 square miles. Texas is 268,507 for comparison.
You know how many casinos we have in Texas?
Two.
That’s it.
For its size, Louisiana is stacked with casinos. I wanted to give you my two favorite casinos so that you have a place to start.
1 – Coushatta Casino Resort
Located in Kinder, LA, Coushatta Casino Resort is the largest casino in the state. It boasts over 100,000 square feet of gaming space.
Coushatta is on native lands of the Coushatta Tribe. This is one of the six native owned casinos in Louisiana. The casino and resort employ 2,600 people from the surrounding area.
The profits from the casino and resort are redistributed to the community and native tribe programs.
The casinos floor is host to 1000s of slot machines and over 65 gaming tables. You can play slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and poker. Their bingo hall is 12,000 square feet. You can even get in on the off-track betting in their sportsbook.
The casino and resort have two hotels with spacious rooms that will fit any budget.
The resort has many family-oriented activities. The Dream Pool & Lazy River are a great way to relax and unwind while you’re on the property.
The Kid’s Quest is a family favorite and keeps the little ones entertained for hours. You can play their world class golf course or walk your dog at the dog friendly park
Dining options are abundant. The property is home to nine eateries and a Starbucks. The casino and resort have local Cajun fare and even a raw bar.
And let’s be real.
When is it bad to have a Starbucks when you’re at a destination casino and resort?
2- Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino
Located in Lake Charles, LA, Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino offers all the amenities and more of a Vegas casino resort.
The hotel and casino reflect the glitz and glamour of an Atlantic City or Vegas experience. When you walk in, the entrance is glittery with soft lighting and elaborate chandeliers.
The casino floor is monstrous. It has a 6-table poker room, high limit gambling, over 1,600 slots, and over 55 tables for gambling. One could get lost in all it has to offer.
The hotel is comprised of 1,100 guest rooms and suites overlooking a bend in the Lake Charles river and on a bay of the Gulf of Mexico. The hotel staff pride themselves on the classic southern hospitality that is known in the region.
The dining options are more than I could see during my stay. There are 11 eateries, the Blue Martini Bar, and a Starbucks. The restaurant options cover almost everything regionally to global choices.
There are quite a few nightlife options. There are multiple bars and night clubs. The onsite venue can host up to up to 1,500 guests for a concert of other entertainment acts.
The casino and resort are home to an 18-hole, par 72 scenic gold course designed by California golf course designers Todd Eckenrode and Origins Golf Designs.
Sports Betting In Louisiana Casinos
The H20 Pool and Bar is a beautiful pool and swim up bar to meet your friends. If you want a gulf coast experience, make sure to visit the beach front. You can even rent scooters to get there.
What would a casino and resort be without a spa and shopping?
They’ve got both, and they’re the perfect option for a girl’s day of pampering that I always look forward to doing with my two daughters. That was a life saver when they were in high school.
Gambling In Louisiana Casinos
The Golden Nugget Lake Charles is so much more than a regurgitated version of Vegas. It stays true to the roots of the Louisiana Bayou experience; it has something for everyone from the gambler to the littles. I recommend including this hidden gem in your next destination casino trip.
Conclusion
Louisiana has a rich casino landscape and history of gambling.
I didn’t cover any of the casinos in NOLA because I personally go to the Crescent City for enough other vices.
I don’t need gambling to get in the way.
I wanted to highlight the culture and native tribal offerings this state has to contribute to the destination casinos in the United States. I hope you are motivated to include Louisiana in your next casino vacation.
I love Vegas, but I love an inclusive vacation for my family, all while gambling, more.
I would love to hear your feedback. Please feel free to leave a question or comment below.