State Gaming Boss: Why the Casinos are Closed [VIDEO]

Ronnie Jones, Chairman of Louisiana's Gaming Control Board, talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the process leading up to the decision to close Louisiana's casinos, including the six in the Shreveport and Bossier City area.

Jones tells KEEL listeners that the decision, announced Monday morning after a series of meetings with Governor John Bel Edwards and his staff and conversations with gaming company officials, led to the decision to shut down operations at midnight, Tuesday. A somber Jones added that because of the closings, the state will lose about $1.6 million a day in revenue.

The order closes Louisiana casinos for two weeks. Jones says the situation with the virus and its spreading is constantly being reassessed and a decision to keep them closed or reopen will be made as soon as possibly.