Louisiana casinos booming in 2025 after regulatory reform
Land-based Louisiana casinos are enjoying a notable economic uptick in 2025 – reminding the industry that Las Vegas’ ‘struggles’ do not represent the entire nation.
Land-based casino growth in Louisiana
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board’s revenue reports for August and September outline the state’s impressive gaming expansion, capturing $214.8m and $174.9m, respectively.
August’s results showcased an 11.5% increase over the same period for 2024 – when The Pelican State’s land-based casinos took $192.5m. September also saw improvement, growing 2.9% compared to 2024.
Louisiana on the up since 2018
This upward trajectory is seven years in the making; until 2018, Louisiana operators were restricted to providing gaming services via casino riverboats and barges, constraining the industry’s potential.
Having witnessed the suppressive impact that these rules were having on the casino industry, former Senator Ronnie Johns designed a pivotal bill (SB 316) that saw operators welcomed back to land.
Today, casino operators may establish retail venues within 1,200 feet of their water-faring location – a change that has harbored positive results. In Johns’ view, these changes were not only expected to work, but also necessary to compete with the wider US market:
“We anticipated a revenue increase after the law change. What we did in 2018 is working. We knew after talking to the gaming industry, it had to produce more revenue.”
From water to land
The shift from riverboats and barges to land-based paved the way for more slots, bigger table games and enhanced on-site facilities.
Operators like The Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge, Treasure Chest in Kenner and Horseshoe Lake Charles in Westlake have all taken advantage of these new rules by opening land-based casinos. According to Johns, these properties have proven vital by helping to “grow the market“.
Specifically, Johns estimates that Louisiana gambling operators have contributed an additional $1.3bn in tax revenue.
Louisiana sports betting “outperforming” traditional gambling
The state legalized sports betting in 2021 – almost immediately, casino operators began offering sports markets.
Vixio industry analyst James Kilsby notes that the statewide market has remained “stable” in the years since sportsbooks entered the equation, but 2025 stands as a particularly fruitful period:
“Louisiana’s market, since the pandemic, has been fairly stable, but we’ve seen an uptick in 2025 due to new casinos and sports betting.”
And, whether due to novelty or quality, sports betting is now “outperforming traditional gambling options in casinos,” says Kilsby, who attributes its success to it being a “newer” vertical.
Louisiana vs Las Vegas?
Although Louisiana’s figures pale in contrast to the nation’s gambling capital, Las Vegas, it is clear that its momentum is outpacing that of Nevada’s behemoth market.
In Kilsby’s view, Sin City’s downturn is the result of increasing travel costs for international visitors, whereas Louisiana benefits from local regions not offering legal betting: “In most other states, it (gambling revenue) relies on local visitation. It’s possible that some gamblers, worried about the economy, stay at home.”
Moreover, with “only so many gambling dollars to go around,” says Johns, players are now choosing between a costly trip to Nevada or an affordable, potentially local market.
While Kilsby does not agree that there is a direct connection between Louisiana’s recent success and Las Vegas’ 2025 shortcomings, ex-Senator Johns says there is “no doubt” that a tangible link ties both states.
Johns, who represented the Republican Party from 1996 to 2021, is of the view that “you’re going to think you’re in Vegas“, such is the caliber of Louisiana’s amenities.