Louisiana Looking to Ban Sweepstakes, Riverboat Casino Revenues Increase
According to figures released this week, the Louisiana riverboat casino sector recorded combined adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of $151.7 million in April.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has published its monthly report, and the headline numbers make for good reading for riverboat operators. The AGR figure for April represents a 9.7% year-on-year increase on the $138.3 million figure for April 2024.
While that increase looks eye-catching, it is due primarily to the return from the Live! Casino riverboat, which opened its doors to the public earlier in the year in February. Without the $9.7 million in AGR contributed by the new venue, the year-on-year rise in sector AGR is less impressive at 2.6%.
In fact, a closer look at the overall sector shows that most riverboat venues' revenue declined compared to the April 2024 figure.
Treasure Chest, Horseshoe Lake Charles, and Belle of Baton Rouge all showed revenue increases of more than 20%, but eight of the 15 venues showed a year-on-year decline.
The most significant fall was at Horsehose Bossier City, whose revenue declined from $8.6 million last April to $5.5 million this year. Boom Town Bossier and Bally’s Shreveport also saw double-digit percentage revenue declines.
| Casino | AGR April 2024 | AGR April 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boomtown Bossier | $4,343,363 | $3,795,363 | -12.6% |
| Bally’s Shreveport | $8,513,079 | $7,411,550 | -12.9% |
| Horseshoe Bossier City | $8,662,729 | $5,497,013 | -36.5% |
| Live! Casino | $0 | $9,727,517 | n/a |
| Sam’s Town | $3,196,608 | $2,772,146 | -13.3% |
| Margaritaville | $15,349,519 | $13,361,805 | -12.9% |
| Horseshoe Lake Charles | $6,658,161 | $9,572,531 | 43.8% |
| L'auberge Lake Charles | $23,740,487 | $24,585,888 | 3.6% |
| Golden Nugget Lake Charles | $24,599,849 | $24,049,505 | -2.2% |
| Amelia Belle | $2,795,114 | $2,728,174 | -2.4% |
| Boomtown North Orleans | $10,160,401 | $10,147,878 | -0.1% |
| Treasure Chest | $7,196,995 | $13,027,449 | 81.0% |
| Belle of B.R. | $631,282 | $771,796 | 22.3% |
| The Queen Baton Rouge | $7,896,128 | $8,852,003 | 12.1% |
| L’Auberge Baton Rouge | $14,580,532 | $15,451,744 | 6.0% |
| Total | $138,324,247 | $151,752,362 | 9.7% |
Louisiana Lawmakers Chase Sweepstakes Ban
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Louisiana are closer to banning sweepstakes casinos. In April, Senators voted unanimously in favor of SB 181, proposed by Sen. Adam Bass, that would ban online contests or promotions that use dual currencies and offer the chance to win cash or cash equivalents.
Sweepstakes casinos, which offer games played with virtual currencies, some of which can be exchanged for cash, have been controversial in a number of states. They are not classified as gambling and so are not subject to state gambling regulations.
Speaking about the bill's passage, Sen. Bass said that it would combat illegal online gambling and help protect the state’s citizens.
“These online casinos, which are often based offshore, evade consumer protection, responsible gaming and anti-money laundering requirements to which gambling in Louisiana would otherwise be subject,” the Senator said.
The bill will now head to the House, which has six weeks to pass and send it to the governors before the 2025 legislative session ends.
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