Will a Shreveport Casino Be Turned into Land Based Operation?

SHREVEPORT, LA - Gambling changes are happening all across Louisiana. Of course, we know Live Casino will be opening in Bossier City next year at the site of the old Diamond Jacks Casino. It will be a land based casino resort complex. It is expected to change the gambling landscape in Shreveport Bossier City.

Could Shreveport Get a Land Based Casino?

KEEL News asked Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns if one of the Shreveport boats is considering going land based. After a long pause, he said
"You're asking me something I probably shouldn't answer." But he adds:

We have had discussions with the 2 boats in Shreveport. Those were proactive conversations instigated by me as Chairman asking them to take a hard look at going land based.

He says they are not opposed to it.

Johns says the management teams at these casinos are "very aware that the future of gaming in Louisiana is land based. There's no doubt about it. It's grown everywhere we've done it, in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Their numbers have almost doubled."

But he does say Shreveport is not likely to see both boats convert to land based. He says one is more likely to move in that direction, but says he is not at liberty to say which boat is more likely to make the investment. Sam's Town and Bally's each have casinos on the riverfront in downtown Shreveport.

Johns says the investment to develop a land based casino will be a minimum of $100 million dollars. But he says one of the problems in Shreveport is that both of the casinos are pretty much land locked. He says they are looking at some plans. "They will put a pencil to the economics of it and see if it's worth that kind of investment."

Other Casino Investments in Shreveport Bossier

Johns also says Horseshoe and Margaritaville are in the process of making major investments to the Bossier City properties to try to stay competitive in the current landscape.

The Shreveport Bossier market has been hit hard by competition from Indian Casinos in Oklahoma. Thousands of gamblers from the lucrative Dallas Forth Worth metroplex are now opting to drive to Oklahoma to gamble rather than to make the drive east to Bossier City. But Johns is hopeful the local improvements and added amenities will lure some of those gamblers back to northwest Louisiana.