We’re just back (and exhausted) from dealing with a harrowing family emergency. Fortunately, our East Coast correspondent has been busy during our absence and files the following photo essay …

Ocean Resort: “I asked for a small piece” at the Avila Lounge, “and I got a large one.” George!

The casino was “well attended” and a promotional hoodie giveaway could hardly have hurt.

Gaming analysts have been cautioning us to expect “difficult comparisons” between 2022 and previous high-water years late 2019 and 2021. Indeed, Louisiana‘s January was flat with 2019, if up 8% from last year. Sports betting was weak: $49 million in handle, boiling down to $5 million in revenue. Harrah’s New Orleans wasn’t exactly a bastion of strength either, falling 22% to $18 million. Boomtown New Orleans picked up 23% to finish at $11.5 million while Treasure Chest ceded 1% for $8 million and Fair Grounds racino slipped 7% to $3.5 million. Out in Lake Charles, victory went to L’Auberge du Lac, leaping 24.5% to $30 million. Golden Nugget gained 18% to finish with $26 million and Delta Downs was off 14.5% to $12.5 million. In Baton Rouge, decrepit Belle of Baton Rouge eked out $1 million in a 58.5% plunge. Hollywood Baton Rouge slipped 5% to $4 million while L’Auberge Baton Rouge exercised its usual dominance with $17 million, a 61% moonshot.