Gaming revenues were down 4% last month in Louisiana, mainly dragged under by the Baton Rouge market, plummeting 19%. Since the 
imposition of a smoking ban in Red Stick, casinos’ business has been 17% lower, a business catastrophe. Belle of Baton Rouge collapsed 43%, hitting $2.6 million and putting Eldorado Resorts in a world of hurt. By that measure the other casinos could be almost said to be doing well: Casino Rouge shed 15% ($4.5 million) and L’Auberge Baton Rouge tumbled 12% ($12 million gross).
In Shreveport/Bossier City, overachiever Margaritaville (+9%) finally caught and tied Horsehoe Bossier City (+3%) at $14.5 million. Sam’s Town ($6.5 million) and Boomtown Bossier ($5 million) were flat, while Eldorado Shreveport fell 10.5% to $9 million. Diamond Jack’s ($3 million) got a 9.5% kick in the pants from departing customers, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs galloped 7% ahead to $3.5 million and the market was flat as a whole.
Even a 5% revenue drop couldn’t stop Harrah’s New Orleans from dominating the Crescent City with $22.5 million, most closely followed 
by Boomtown New Orleans‘ $9.5 million (-8.5%). Treasure Chest booked $9 million (-4.5%), Fair Grounds gained a point ($4 million) and Amelia Belle was flat at $4 million. That leaves Lake Charles, where only Delta Downs was up, 1.5% to $15 million. Isle Grand Palais slid 13% to $8 million, Golden Nugget (-2.5%) nosed past L’Auberge du Lac (-1.5%), $25 million to $24.5 million.
* Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) has evolved from being anti-gaming to pro-gaming … after a fashion. We presume he still opposes ‘Net betting but he’s come out in favor of a casino project sought by the Catawba Indians in the Kings Mountain area. He has introduced a bill which 
aims to “clarify” the Clinton-era Catawba Indian Land Claims Settlement Act and prod the Department of the Interior into acting on a long-pending land-into-trust procedure. The bill draft has yet to receive a hearing. According the Graham, a tribal casino would generate 4,000 local jobs.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was quick to voice its opposition: “the recent filing of a bill in the U.S. Senate to give North Carolina land to the South Carolina tribe for an off-reservation casino is nothing more than a modern-day land-grab by the federal government of Cherokee aboriginal lands. This action circumvents the existing process for the Catawba Indian Nation to acquire lands in South Carolina, is unprecedented in U.S. history, and is a federal government bully-tactic that should not be part of modern 
government.” The Cherokee won’t find much comfort from their congressional delegation; Sens. Richard Burr (R) and Thom Tillis (R) have thrown in their lot with Graham. If he succeeds, this will be the second casino hard by a major Revolutionary War historical site, Kings Mountain having been the location of one of the decisive actions of the War of Independence. (You can stand on a bluff at Valley Forge and practically throw snowballs at the Boyd Gaming casino below.)
Catawba Chief William Harris, who says he’s been stonewalled by Cherokee leadership, emphasized the area’s historical importance to the tribe. “Kings Mountain is the site of a very famous Revolutionary War battle where Catawba scouts made the difference in favor of the American revolutionaries. Congress expressly provided that this area would be part of our federal service area, recognizing its significance and our long occupancy in these parts of North Carolina,” he remarked. He’s got local government support for his tribe’s casino project but Congressional action is paramount and to be applauded.
* A big ‘thank you’ is due to William Hill for donating $50,000 to the Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The money is derived from a litigation settlement with FanDuel, which had been plagiarizing William Hill material. So the latter is paying it forward in a manner from which all the gaming industry could take a lesson. The money will be used to produce an educational film showing the effects of compulsive gambling on family members. Look for it to show up on platforms like YouTube. It may even be insinuated amongst the ‘coming attractions’ at your local cineplex. Said William Hill CEO Joe Asher, “I know from personal experience that family members of problem gamblers can help push those that need help to seeking it.” Bravo, Mr. Asher.
