Louisiana Casino Guide
Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in Louisiana
The number of casinos in Louisiana is incredibly vast. You’ll find casinos in every area of the state, and these establishments range from racinos to riverboat casinos and tribal casinos to land-based ones. The one thing you should keep in mind is that the state does not have any online casinos owned or operated within state lines. With a recent shift in attitude towards online fantasy sports for real money, however, it’s likely that the state will start considering online gambling sites.
History of Gambling in Louisiana
After thousands of slot machines were destroyed in raids in the 1950s, the debate over whether slot machines were legal or not became a hot topic. It wasn’t until 1986 that the first true steps to legalizing gambling took place. With the oil industry facing shortfalls, the government discussed adding a state lottery and a few casinos in New Orleans. Those measures were shot down.
It took until 1991 when gambling was legalized in Louisiana. It was during that year that voters showed their support for up to 15 riverboat casinos and a state lottery. A year later, voters again supported the legalization of gaming within one land-based casino and establishments that wanted to add video gaming machines. A percentage of all of the revenue gained in these facilities would help boost the Louisiana Education Fund.
Things haven’t always been easy since then. The state’s one land-based casino filed bankruptcy, not once but twice. To avoid another bankruptcy, the state had to agree to lower the amount Harrah’s would pay the state in taxes. Then a former governor was found guilty of extorting riverboat companies, and a senator was also found guilty as a result of this investigation. Despite these issues, the jobs and revenue created by casinos in Louisiana have proven to be important to the entire state.
Age Restrictions for Gambling in Louisiana
There are two ages to keep in mind when you’re gambling in Louisiana. If you are 18, 19, or 20, you are limited to bingo, state lotteries, and horse betting. Once you are 21 or older, you can enter any of the Louisiana casinos and play the range of games found within.
Louisiana’s Casino Gambling Outlook
One major change to casinos in Louisiana is happening in April 2015. A new state law bans smoking in any public area in New Orleans, including casinos. Therefore, all of New Orleans’ casinos must become smoke-free. Patrons must go outside at least five feet from the entrance if they want to smoke, if it is an establishment owned by the state or city, you must stand at least 25 feet from the entrance. Many other cities already have smoking bans in place or are adding them.
There’s another law change that signals a shift in attitudes regarding online gambling in Louisiana. The state just passed a law legalizing fantasy games. Players can now wager real money in online fantasy sports sites. The law change is expected to bring in additional revenue for the state.
Local Casinos
The mix of casinos in Louisiana includes land-based casinos, racinos, riverboat casinos, and tribal casinos. As of the spring of 2015, the following casinos are open for business:
Land-Based Casinos:
• Harrah’s New Orleans
Racinos:
• Delta Downs
• Evangeline Downs
• Fair Grounds Race Course
• Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack
Riverboat Casinos:
• Amelia Belle Casino
• Belle of Baton Rouge
• Boomtown Bossier City
• Boomtown New Orleans
• Diamond Jacks Casino Bossier City
• Eldorado Casino Shreveport
• Golden Nugget Lake Charles
• Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge
• Horseshoe Casino Bossier City
• Isle of Capri Casino Lake Charles
• L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
• L’Auberge Casino Baton Rouge
• Margaritaville Resort Casino
• Sam’s Town Shreveport
• Treasure Chest Casino
Tribal Casinos:
• Coushatta Casino Resort
• Cypress Bayou Casino
• Jena Choctaw Pines Casino
• Paragon Casino Resort