Are Job Losses Coming Soon to Local Casinos?
Ronnie Jones, chairman of Louisiana's Gaming Control Board, talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the latest revenue reports from area casinos, numbers that show a double-figure decline from the same time last year.
More info from KEEL news:
"Louisiana casinos have seen substantial declines in revenue in the last year, leading casino advocates to sound the alarm that the state’s gaming industry is shrinking.
Shreveport casinos are down 11.6 percent, Lake Charles 10 percent, New Orleans five percent, and Baton Rouge 13 percent. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says gaming revenue now exceeds oil and gas revenue in funding the state.
Across the state, seven casinos saw 10 percent or more declines in revenue year to year, but the Belle of Baton Rouge posted the most shocking decline, at 43 percent. Jones says the owner is trying to get out…
On a whole, Louisiana casino revenues fell 10.2 percent from last year."
Jones tells KEEL listeners that five casinos across the state have proposals before the board to reduce their number of employees, a move that must be approved by the board.