© 2024 Red River Radio
Voice of the Community
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

La. Casino Riverboats May Relocate On Land?

Courtesy: shreveport-bossier.org

LA. RIVERBOAT TASK FORCE:   Before freezing weather  effectively  shut  down  Louisiana’s  state  agencies this week,    The Riverboat Gaming Task Force had been meeting to consider recommendations  for  Louisiana’s  Casino  industry which has matured  since it became legal in the 1990’s.  Ronnie Jones is chairman of both the task force and the state Gaming Control Board, during the last meeting he announced  some proposals  that  would  make  some significant  changes  to  Louisiana  Riverboat  Casino operations.“What we're after here is reinvestment in the property to make sure that it's promoting the economy, not just moving gaming from over water onto land.” Allowing Louisiana riverboats to become "land-based casinos" in one of two recommendations the task force is recommending.  The other proposal changes the maximum measurement of gaming space from 30,000 square feet to allow for  2,365 gaming positions which would accommodate the larger video slots.

Credit Courtesy: La. Gaming Control Board
/
Courtesy: La. Gaming Control Board
Ronnie Jones - Chairman for La. Riverboat Gaming Task Force

measurement of maximum gaming space from 30,000 square feet to 2,365 gaming positions — thus accommodating the larger modern video slots.

Wade Duty with the Louisiana Casino Association says, “This does not double, triple, or even increase the present number of gaming opportunities.”

But Jones pointed out it's a matter of public perception saying “Anything we do could be considered by some to be an expansion of gaming.” Task force members, who have been working on this project for 17 months, also discussed items they did not recommend, such as permitting sports betting. “That's going to be important to the future of gaming in Louisiana,” Jones says.”That may well be part of an answer to solving some of the revenue problems in the state, but I'm not sure it's 

Credit Courtesy: shreveport-bossier.org
/
Courtesy: shreveport-bossier.org
LA. CASINO CHANGES? Recommendations by the La. Riverboat Gaming Task Force will change space restrictions for gaming operations.

something that this task force can really address. Sports betting is bigger than riverboats.”Riverboat Gaming Task Force members all agree that Sports Betting is a huge issue for the gaming industry which they hope to address in the future.

 

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.