Local casinos are getting a makeover.

As if the local gaming industry wasn’t struggling already, COVID-19 took a major toll on Baton Rouge casinos. Like many other businesses, local casinos temporarily shut down or have faced capacity restrictions during the pandemic. Once they reopened, revenue was still decreasing month-to-month and year-to-year for October and November, according to Business Report.

That didn’t stop them from moving forward with plans for expansion that have been years in the making. In 2020, Hollywood Casino, Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel and L’Auberge Casino & Hotel all announced or unveiled renovations to their facilities.

It began in 2018, when John Bel Edwards signed a bill approving riverboat casinos to move their gambling spaces on land.