Baton Rouge’s three riverboat casinos collectively raked in 9% less revenue in May than they did during the month last year, marking the tenth straight month in which year-over-year collections were down.
L’Auberge Baton Rouge, Hollywood Casino and the Belle of Baton Rouge brought in $23.9 million last month, down from roughly $26.3 million in May 2017, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
L’Auberge posted the largest decline, with winnings falling just over 10% to just $13.6 million. The casino won about $15.2 million during the same month last year.
Hollywood, meanwhile, brought in about $5.3 million in May, a 6.1% decrease from $5.7 million. Revenue at the Belle of Baton Rouge was $4.9 million, an 8.3% drop from $5.3 million.
Of Louisiana’s four riverboat casino markets, Baton Rouge and New Orleans posted declines in May, with New Orleans down 0.4% (the land-based Harrah’s is not included in the riverboat figures). And while some casinos in the Shreveport/Bossier City and Lake Charles markets saw revenue declines, the markets both had a better May this year than they did last year. Revenue at the six casinos in Shreveport/Bossier City was up 1.1%, while the three in Lake Charles posted a 4% increase.
The local riverboat market is struggling at a time when a smoking ban went into effect earlier this month. However, casino officials have voiced optimism about a new state law that allows riverboats to move operations ashore.
