Share
After two years, the first land-based Louisiana casino in the state’s capital is officially open to the public.
The $85 million, 100,000-square-foot Queen Baton Rouge Casino, complete with a DraftKings Sportsbook, opened last week. The ribbon cutting featured high-level executives and former LSU quarterback Matt Flynn. The property is outfitted with over 700 slot machines and 18 table games, including blackjack, craps and roulette.
In addition, the Louisiana sportsbook will have 20 kiosks, four betting windows, more than 100 slots, six table games, and a dedicated smoking patio.
Baton Rouge’s first land-based casino finally arrives with new amenities
Work on moving the former riverboat casino to land began in 2021 but was halted due to several factors, including construction costs and rising water levels. The property has expanded from 62,000 to over 100,000 square feet to make room for gaming, dining and entertainment venues.
The casino’s five restaurants include:
- Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken
- 3 Woks Noodle Bar
- Capitol Coffee Baton Rouge
- 1717
- The Loft at 1717
Also attending the grand opening were:
- Terry Downey, CEO and President of The Queen Gaming & Entertainment
- Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge
- Matthew Shehadi, general manager of The Queen Baton Rouge
- Ronnie S. Johns, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board
With the new expansion, Louisiana casino management said it would create about 100 new jobs. According to an article by WAFB, a spokesperson for the casino said jobs to fill include IT, marketing, food and beverage and more.
More land-based casinos are coming soon
Queen Casino & Entertainment, the property’s parent company, said it is moving forward with another land-based casino project.
The company owns the Belle of Baton Rouge, another riverboat casino moving to land. Belle of Baton Rouge has started a $100 million expansion and renovation project to move its slot machines and table games into the casino atrium. Furthermore, the expansion will add restaurants and reopen its 250-room hotel.
That project is set for completion in fall 2024.
