Louisiana’s commercial casino sector recorded $246.2 million in total gaming revenue for May, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024, according to data released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Stripping out the impact of Bally’s Baton Rouge, which recently completed its transition from a riverboat to a land-based facility, statewide revenue growth stood at 5.7%.
Bally’s Baton Rouge was the standout performer in the monthly figures, reporting $6.2 million in May revenue — a 591% year-over-year increase — driven almost entirely by the property’s shift to land-based operations. The move to a permanent land venue typically unlocks greater floor space and amenity capacity, which can significantly boost gaming volumes.
The Lake Charles district retained its position as Louisiana’s highest-earning gaming region, generating $86.4 million, up 3% year-over-year. L’Auberge Du Lac led the district with $31.4 million, a 9.2% increase, while Golden Nugget Lake Charles posted $30.1 million, a marginal decline of 0.9%. Delta Downs contributed $16.9 million to the district’s total, up 4.8%.
Shreve port/Bossier City operators delivered the strongest regional growth rate, with combined revenue of $64.6 million representing a 15.8% year-over-year rise. Horseshoe Shreveport was the region’s top performer by growth rate, climbing 39.2% to $15.7 million. Margaritaville Resort Casino followed with $15.9 million, up 15.9%, while Live! Casino posted $13.4 million, a 25% increase.
New Orleans district properties collectively generated $59.2 million, up 12%. Caesars New Orleans led the district with $27.5 million, a 21.9% gain. Treasure Chest reported $15.2 million, up 4.7%, while Boomtown Casino & Hotel was the district’s only decliner, reporting $9.7 million, down 8%.
The Baton Rouge district as a whole recorded $28.8 million, a 2.7% increase. However, the gains were heavily concentrated at Bally’s, with L’Auberge Baton Rouge posting $14.7 million — a 16.5% decline — and The Queen of Baton Rouge reporting $7.8 million, down 17.6%. Those results suggest that Bally’s land-based opening may be cannibalising revenue from nearby competitors within the same district.
On the sports betting side, May revenue came in at $45.9 million, a 3% decrease year-over-year, generated from a handle of $318 million, which was up 6%. The divergence between a rising handle and falling revenue points to a higher hold rate for bettors during the month, a pattern commonly seen in periods where major sporting outcomes favour the wagering public.
Evangeline Downs rounded out the state’s reported figures with $7.1 million in revenue, down 2%.
Louisiana authorised land-based casino operations as part of ongoing efforts to modernise its gaming infrastructure and compete with neighbouring states. Bally’s Corporation completed its Baton Rouge land transition after years of operating under riverboat regulations, which impose physical and operational constraints compared to permanent onshore venues. The May data represents one of the first full monthly reads on the property’s land-based performance.
