While Baton Rouge’s riverboats are going through 21 consecutive months of year-over-year losses, Mississippi gambling halls have been riding a winning streak since sports betting was legalized in that state last year
Casinos there raked in $184 million in May‚ almost 2% more than in the same month in 2018. The figures include $1.2 million in sports betting revenues. In comparison, Louisiana saw a 3% drop in statewide casino collections last month, earning $160 million.
In April, Spectrum Gaming Group issued a 260-page report on the state of Louisiana’s gambling industry for the Louisiana Economic Development, which said Louisiana casinos are at a distinct disadvantage to those in Mississippi, not just because the Magnolia State taxes its gambling facilities at a much lower rate, but also because it offers sports betting.
Attempts to legalize sports betting failed during this year’s legislative session, which ended earlier this month.
