Louisiana gaming revenue up in August despite hurricane impact

September 23, 2017 2:11 PM
  • CDC Gaming Reports
September 23, 2017 2:11 PM
  • CDC Gaming Reports

Hurricane Harvey dampened gaming revenue totals in western Louisiana during August, but the state still reported its sixth straight monthly gaming revenue increase.

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For the month, gaming revenues in Louisiana were up 0.4 percent to $240.4 million, according to results released this week by state gaming regulators.

Houston and eastern Texas was rocked in the last part of the month by the massive storm and subsequent flooding. The area is the prime customer feeder marker to casinos in Lake Charles and other western Louisiana markets, primarily the Golden Nugget – owned by Tilman’s Fertitta’s Landry’s Corp. – and Pinnacle Entertainment’s L’Auberge.

The storm caused gaming revenues to decline 6.6 percent in Lake Charles, but an upsurge in other parts the state softened the overall blow.

In the Lake Charles, three properties – L’Auberge, Eldorado Resorts’ Isle of Capri, and Boyd Gaming’s Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino (located in Vinton) – reported double-digit gaming revenue declines.

However, Golden Nugget reported a 9.7 percent increase. Without Golden Nugget’s results, the area would have been down almost 13 percent.

Other regions of Louisiana reported solid gaming revenue numbers in August.

The Baton Rouge market was up 15.2 percent, led by a 15 percent gaming revenue increase at Pinnacle’s L’Auberge property. Las Vegas-based Pinnacle operates four casinos in the state and the company saw its overall gaming revenue total decline 3.3 percent in the month.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans market grew gaming revenue 5.4 percent in August, led by an 11.2 percent increase at Harrah’s New Orleans.