Louisiana Casinos Make $151.2 Million in September as Riverboat Casinos Move Ashore

Casinos in Louisiana generated $151.2 million in September, a 3.7% year-on-year increase from $145.8 million. Month-on-month, however, revenue declined 19%, with casinos generating $186.6 million in August. 

Ex-Louisiana Senator Ronnie Johns, who was one of the key drivers in bringing riverboat casinos ashore during his tenure, recently interviewed with Daily Mail. He discussed the impacts of casinos moving ashore in Louisiana. Johns, who drafted the bill that allowed casinos to move ashore, discussed how the new land-based casinos are boosting the economy for Louisiana residents despite others' fears. 

More Wins Than Losses In Louisiana 

The Louisiana State Police report shows that of the sixteen combined land-based and riverboat casinos, nine saw year-on-year revenue rises, while sex saw profits decrease. The Live! Casino had no year-on-year revenue to report as it only opened its doors in February 2025. 

While it was the lowest-earning casino, the Belle of B.R saw the highest year-on-year revenue increase, with profits rising 589.6% from $99,947 to $689,201.

Additionally, the Horseshow Bossier City saw a double-digit profit increase, of 17.5%, from $8.1 million to $9.5 million, along with the state's only land-based casino, Caesars New Orleans, which saw profits rise 20.9% from $16.1 million to $19.5 million. 

The biggest loser was Margaritaville Casino, whose profits declined 28.2% from $14.1 million to $10.1 million. Horseshoe Lake Charles Casino saw a similar decline of 26.5% from $6.9 million to $5.1 million, along with Bally’s Shreveport Casino, whose profits dropped 25.7 million from $7.3 million to $5.4 million. 

Moving Ashore Keeps Casinos Cruising

Louisiana casinos have been on a journey over the past decades, as the once strict days of cruising along the rivers are over after then State Senator Ronnie Johns drafted a bill that allowed the casinos to jump ashore in 2018. 

Since then, casino revenue has increased, as expected, as the state's riverboat casinos slowly open their onshore locations, with ex-Senator Johns estimating it has boosted the state budget by around $1.3 billion a year. 

In an interview with the Daily Mail, ex-Senator Johns said, “Those land-based properties helped grow the market. It's extremely significant. We're seeing a lot of capital investment throughout the state.”

So far, the Hollywood Casino, now The Queen of Baton Rouge, Horseshoe Lake Charles, and Treasure Chest Casino have all moved ashore, and more are expected to join them in the coming years. 

John also discussed how the casinos arriving on land have brought new capital and growth to nearby entertainment spots and didn’t “cannibalize” other venues like once expected. 

As more casinos open on land, the Louisiana community may soon see more investment into the state as new venues are built, which could see the state budget continue to rise.