Gambling revenues in the Pelican State enjoyed a 5% jump last month, reaching $213 million (not counting slot routes). How good was business? The “worst performing” market, Lake Charles, was up 1%. L’Auberge du Lac ($27 million) had an aberrantly poor month, 
tumbling 11%. What Pinnacle Entertainment lost at L’Auberge, Tilman Fertitta made up at Golden Nugget ($24 million), vaulting 14.5%. Isle of Capri ($10 million) was flat but Boyd Gaming‘s Delta Downs ($15 million) gained 7%. In Baton Rouge, Pinnacle’s L’Auberge Baton Rouge ran away with the market, posting $15 million on a 15% gain. The best that Casino Rouge (+2%) and Belle of Baton Rouge (+15%) could between them was $11 million.
Casinos in New Orleans seem to have adjusted nicely to the smoking ban. Harrah’s New Orleans grossed $22 million (up 15%) and Churchill Downs‘ Fair Grounds racino rose 4% to $3.5 million. Across the river, Boomtown Bossier was up 2% to $5 million and Boyd’s Treasure Chest gained 5% to $9 million. Amelia Belle, however, dipped 4.5%, to $3.5 million. Boyd’s other outlying property, Evangeline Downs, was up 7% to $7 million.
Caesars Entertainment had both the highest-grossing casino in the Shreveport/Bossier City area: $15.5 million at Horseshoe Bossier City (up 14%) and springboarding 20% at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs ($4 million). Eldorado Shreveport was flat at $10 million while the only revenue-negative performer was Diamond Jack’s, down 14.5% to $3 million. Newbie Margaritaville did well enough for itself, up 5% to $12.5 million, while Sam’s Town gained 4% to close the month at $6.5 million, An extra weekend day may have helped boost all these numbers but they also suggest a strong appetite — and wallet — for gaming in the heart of Dixie.
* That was quick. Scarcely had the Trump administration upheld a land-into-trust transfer for the Wilton Rancheria, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a compact with the tribe. The latter controls 36 acres for the eventual casino but is in no hurry to develop it, looking toward a 2020 opening.
* Onanism notwithstanding, the bad guys won and Las Vegas was perfectly OK with it.
