Louisiana was the fourth state to approve riverboat casino gambling and its 1991 gambling law allows a maximum of 15 boats statewide. In 1992 a provision was added for one land-based casino in New Orleans.

The state also has three land-based Indian casinos and  three gaming machines-only casinos  located at pari-mutuel facilities. Additionally, video poker is permitted at Louisiana truck stops, OTB's and bars/taverns in 31 of the state's 64 parishes (counties).

As of August 2004 there were 14 riverboat casinos in operation in 12 different locations (the two Lake Charles locations each have two boats) and a 15th casino was being built by Pinnacle Gaming (Boomtown/Casino Magic)  in Lake Charles. The new casino is expected to open by Spring of 2005. All riverboat casinos in Louisiana are required to remain dockside and all are open 24 hours.

Gaming regulations require that gaming machines in casinos be programmed to pay back no less than 80% and no more than 99.9%. For video gaming machines at locations other than casinos the law requires a minimum return of 80% and a maximum return of 94%.

Louisiana gaming statistics are not broken   down by individual properties. Rather, they are classified by region: Baton Rouge (BR) , Lake Charles (LC), New Orleans (NO) and Shreveport/Bossier City (SB).

The Baton Rouge casinos consist of the Argosy and Casino Rouge. The Lake Charles casinos include Harrah's and Isle of Capri. New Orleans area casinos are: Bally's, Boomtown, Harrah's (landbased) and Treasure Chest. The Shreveport/Bossier city casinos include: Casino Magic, Hollywood, Isle of Capri,  Harrah's and Horseshoe.

Here's information, as supplied by the Louisiana State Police-Riverboat Gaming Section, showing the average electronic machine payback percentages for each area's casinos for the six-month period from December, 2008  through May, 2004:

These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned on each denomination of machine and encompass all electronic machines including video poker and video keno. The best returns for each category are highlighted in bold print and you can see that the New Orleans area casinos offered the best returns in most categories.

NOTE: If you happen to win a jackpot of $1,200 or more in Louisiana, the casino will withhold 6% of your winnings for the Louisiana Department of Revenue. If you want to try and get that money refunded, you will be required to file a state income tax return and, depending on the details of your return, you may get some of the money returned to you. The $1,200 threshold would also apply to any cash prizes won in casino drawings or tournaments.

The casino games offered are: blackjack, craps, roulette, slots and video poker.  Optional games include: Spanish 21 (S21), baccarat (B), mini-baccarat (MB), poker (P), Caribbean stud poker (CSP), pai gow poker (PGP), let it ride (LIR), casino war (CW), three-card poker (TCP), big 6 wheel (B6), keno (K) and bingo (BG). The minimum gambling age is 21 for casino gaming and 18 for pari-mutuel betting.

For more information on visiting Louisiana call the state's tourism department at (800) 633-6970 or visit www.louisianatravel.com

Argosy Casino Baton Rouge
103 France Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
(225) 378-6000
Website: www.argosycasinos.com
Map: #3

Toll-Free Number: (800) 676-4847
Restaurants: 4 (1 on boat)
Buffets: B-$7.95  L-$9.95/$19.95 (Sun)
D-$12.95/19.95 (Fri)/$14.95 (Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 29,000 Square Feet
Other Games: MB, CSP, LIR
Overnight RV Parking: No
Senior Discount: If 50, or older, join Belles and Beaus Senior Club for monthly offers
Special Features: 1,500-passenger paddle wheeler on the Mississippi River. 300-room Sheraton Hotel is adjacent to casino ( 800-325-3535). 10% off food/drink for slot club members.

Bally's Casino Lakeshore Resort
1 Stars & Stripes Boulevard
New Orleans, Louisiana 70126
(504) 248-3200
Website: www.ballysno.com
Map: #4

Toll-Free Number: (800) 57-BALLY
Restaurants: 2 (Snack bar on boat)
Buffets: B-$5.95/ $12.95 (Sun)
L-$8.95/$15.95 (Fri)  D-$12.95/$15.95 (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 30,000 Square Feet
Other Games: P, CSP, PGP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Senior Discount: 15% discount on buffets and logo shop if 55 or older
Special Features: 1,200-passenger paddle wheeler on Lake Pontchartrain.

Boomtown Casino Hotel - Bossier City
300 Riverside Drive
Bossier City, Louisiana 71171
(318) 746-0711
Website: www.boomtownbossier.com
Map: #1 (across the Red River From Shreveport)

Toll-Free Number: (866) 462-8696
Rooms: 100  Price Range: $85-$125
Suites: 88  Price Range: $105-$145
Restaurants: 4 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$4.99  L-$6.99  D-$9.99/$12.99 (Thu-Sun)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 28,000 Square Feet
Other Games: S21, MB, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: No
Senior Discount: $3.99 breakfast buffet on Wed if 50 or older
Special Features: 1,925-passenger paddle wheeler on the Red River.

Boomtown Casino - New Orleans
4132 Peters Road
Harvey, Louisiana 70058
(504) 366-7711
Website: www.boomtownneworleans.com
Map: #4 (a suburb of New Orleans)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 366-7711
Restaurants: 4 (1 snack bar on boat)
Buffets: B/L-$8.95/$12.95 (Sun)
D-$12.95/$14.95 (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 30,000 Square Feet
Other Games: MB, P, PGP, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Senior Discount: $2 off buffets if 55 or older
Fun Book: Only for new slot club members
Special Features: 1,600-passenger paddle wheeler on the Harvey Canal. Family arcade.

Casino Rouge
1717 River Road North
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
(225) 381-7777
Website: www.casinorouge.com
Map: #3

Toll-Free Number: (800) 44-ROUGE
Restaurants: 4 (1 snack bar on boat)
Buffets: L-$8.95/$16.95 (Sun)  D-$11.95/$15.95 (Fri)/$13.95 (Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 28,146 Square Feet
Other Games: P, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Special Features: 1,500-passenger paddle wheeler on the Mississippi River.

Harrah's Lake Charles
505 N. Lakeshore Drive
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601
(337) 437-1500
Website: www.harrahs.com
Map: #2 (220 miles W. of New Orleans)

Toll-Free Number: (800) HARRAHS
Room Reservations: (800) 977-PLAY
Rooms: 132  Price Range: $79-$149
Restaurants: 6 (1 open 24 Hours)
Buffets: L-$9.99  D-$15.99
Valet Parking: Free
Other Games: MB, P, PGP, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: No
Special Features: Two paddlewheel boats: 1,700-passenger Pride of Lake Charles and  1,460-passenger Star Casino.

Harrah's New Orleans Casino
Canal at the River
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 533-6000
Website: www.harrahs.com
Map: #4

Toll-Free Number: (800) 847-5299
Toll-Free Number: (800) HARRAHS
Restaurants: 2 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffet: B-$7.99  L-$11.99/$18.99 (Sun)  D-$18.99/$21.99 (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: $10 for first two hours and  $5 for each additional two hours
(Free for Diamond and Platinum members)
Casino Size: 100,000 Square Feet
Other Games: B, MB, CSP, LIR, P, PGP
Overnight RV Parking: No
Senior Discount: Mon-Thu buffet discounts ($2-breakfast, $3-lunch, $4-dinner) if 50+
Special Features: Landbased casino. Five themed gaming areas. Fats food court. Daily live jazz music. Self-parking costs $5 to $24 depending on length of stay. Slot club members playing for minimum of 30 minutes get validated for up to 24 hours of free parking.

Hollywood Casino Shreveport
451 Clyde Fant Parkway
Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
(318) 220-0711
Website: www.hollywoodcasinoshreveport.com
Map: #1

Hotel Reservations: (877) 602-0711
Suites: 403 Price Range: $135-$200
Restaurants: 4 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffet: B-$6.99 (Sun)  L-$10.99  D-$13.99/$19.99 (Fri)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 29,607 Square Feet
Other Games:  MB, CW, P, PGP, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Special Features: 1,500-passenger paddle wheeler on the Red River. Large display of movie memorabilia.

Horseshoe Casino Hotel - Bossier City
711 Horseshoe Boulevard
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
(318) 742-0711
Website: www.horseshoe.com
Map: #1 (across the Red River from Shreveport)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 895-0711
Suites: 606  Price Range: $135-$200
Restaurants: 4 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$8.95 (Fri-Mon) L-$10.95  D-$12.95/$18.95 (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Other Games: MB, CSP, LIR, TCP
Casino Size: 29,500 Square Feet
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Senior Discount: 10% buffet discount if 55+
Special Features: 2,930-passenger paddle wheeler on the Red River. AARP room discount.

Isle of Capri Resort - Bossier City
711 Isle of Capri Boulevard
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
(318) 678-7777
Website: www.isleofcapricasino.com
Map: #1 (across the Red River from Shreveport)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 475-3847
Suites: 570  Price Range: $85-$145
Inn Rooms: 225 Price Range: $39-$69
Restaurants: 3 (1 open 24 Hours)
Buffets: B-$7.99  L-$10.99  D-$14.99
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 30,000 Square Feet
Other Games: MB, PGP, CSP, TCP, LIR, K
Overnight RV Parking: Free at Inn parking lot
RV Dump: No
Senior Discount: Various Mon-Fri if 50 or older
Special Features: 1,650-passenger paddle wheeler on the Red River. Inn is two miles from casino with free shuttle service. Slot club members get room and buffet discounts. 32-space RV park. Childcare center. 1,200 seat showroom.

Isle of Capri - Lake Charles
100 Westlake Avenue
Westlake, Louisiana 70669
(337) 430-0711
Website: www.isleofcapricasino.com
Map: #2 (220 miles W. of New Orleans)

Toll-Free Number: (800) THE-ISLE
Inn Rooms: 241  Price Range: $59-$109
Suites: 252  Price Range: $79-$139
Restaurants: 5 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$6.99  L-$8.99  D-$14.99
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 48,900 Square Feet
Other Games: B, MB, P, PGP, CSP, TCP, LIR, B6
Overnight RV Parking: $5/RV Dump: Included
Senior Discount: Various Mon/Wed/Fri if 50+  Special Features: Two 1,200-passenger paddle wheelers on Lake Charles.

L'auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino
3202 Nelson Road
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601
(337) 475-2900
Website: www.ldlcasino.com
Map: #2 (220 miles W. of New Orleans)

EXPECTED TO OPEN MAY 2005
Rooms: 646  Price Range: Not Set At Press Time
Suites: 100  Price Range: Not Set At Press Time
Restaurants: 5 (1 open 24 Hours)
Casino Size: 48,490 Square Feet
Special Features: Largest single-deck riverboat in the U.S. and Louisiana's only single-deck riverboat. 18-hole golf course. Spa and fitness center. Pool with lazy river ride.

Sam's Town Hotel & Casino Shreveport
315 Clyde Fant Parkway
Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
(318) 424-7777
Website: www.samstownshreveport.com
Map: #1

Toll-Free Number: (866) 861-0711
Rooms: 514  Price Range: $79-$200
Restaurants: 3 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffet: B-$14.99 (Sun) L-$10.99/$12.99 (Sat)  D-$12.99-$18.99 (Varies)
Valet Parking: $3/$5 (Fri-Sun)/Free with Sam's Town Player's Club Card
Casino Size: 30,000 Square Feet
Other Games: MB, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Free (small lot for 3 RV's)
RV Dump: No
Special Features: 1,650-passenger paddle wheeler on the Red River.

Treasure Chest Casino
5050 Williams Boulevard
Kenner, Louisiana 70065
(504) 443-8000
Website: www.treasurechest.com
Map: #4 (a suburb of New Orleans)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 298-0711
Restaurants: 2 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$5.99  L-$9.99/$16.99 (Sun)
D-$12.99/$16.99 (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 25,767 Square Feet
Other Games: MB, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Senior Discount: If 50 or older join Treasured Friends Club for various specials
Special Features: 1,900-passenger paddle wheeler on Lake Pontchartrain.

Indian Casinos

Cypress Bayou Casino
P.O. Box 519
Charenton, Louisiana 70523
(318) 923-7284
Website: www.cypressbayou.com
Map: #5 (75 miles S. of Baton Rouge)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 284-4386
Restaurants: 6  Liquor: Yes
Casino Hours: 12pm-2am/4am (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 125,000 Square Feet
Other Games: B6, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Must use RV park
Special Features: Land-based casino. Gift shop. Cigar bar. Oyster bar. 12-space RV park charges $25 per night, but reduced to $15 when ticket is validated in casino security office.

Grand Casino Coushatta
777 Coushatta Drive
Kinder Louisiana 70648
(318) 738-7300
Website: www.gccoushatta.com
Map: #6 (35 miles N.E. of Lake Charles)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 584-7263
Room Reservations: (888) 774-7263
Hotel Rooms: 223  Price Range: $89-$129
Suites: 90  Price Range: Casino Guests Only
Inn Rooms: 195 Price Range: $69-$99
Restaurants: 6 (1 open 24 hours) Liquor: Yes
Buffets: L-$10.00/$13.99 (Sun)  D-$13.00/$17.00 (Fri)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 107,600 Square Feet
Other Games: MB, P, PGP, CSP, LIR, B6
Overnight RV Parking: Must use RV park
Special Features: Land-based casino. 100-space RV park. Kids Quest childcare center. Video arcade. 18-hole golf course.

Paragon Casino Resort
711 Paragon Place
Marksville, Louisiana 71351
(318) 253-1946
Website: www.paragoncasinoresort.com
Map: #7 (30 miles S.E. of Alexandria)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 946-1946
Rooms: 335  Price Range: $59-$139
Suites: 57  Price Range: $90-$325
Restaurants: 6 (1 open 24 hours) Liquor: Yes
Buffets: B-$7.50  L-$7.99  D-$10.99/$11.99 (Sun)
Valet Parking: Free
Casino Size: 72,120 Square Feet
Other Games:  B6, MB, P, PGP, CSP, LIR, TCP
Overnight RV Parking: Must use RV park
Special Features: Land-based casino. 166-space RV Park. Kids Quest childcare center. Video arcade. $10 room discount for AAA and AARP members. 18-hole golf course.

Pari-Mutuels

Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino
2717 Highway 3063
Vinton, Louisiana 70668
(337) 589-7441
Website: www.deltadowns.com
Map: #8 (20 miles W. of Lake Charles)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 589-7441
Rooms: 203  Price Range: Not Set At Press Time
Suites: 33  Price Range: Not Set At Press Time
Restaurants: 2 and 1 snack bar
Buffets:  L-$8.99  D-$10.99/$13.99 (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: Free
Other Games: Only machines
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Special Features: Hotel expected to open by spring 2005. Live thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing (Thu-Sun) early November  through mid-August. Simulcasting offered all year.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino
3620 Evangeline Trwy
Carencro, Louisiana 70520
(337) 896-7223
Website: www.evangelinedowns.com
Map: #9 (30 miles W. of Baton Rouge)

Toll-Free Number: (866) 4-RACINO
Restaurants: 3 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: L-$7.99  D-$9.99/$15.95 (Fri)
Valet Parking: Free (casino)/$5 (horses)
Casino Size: 72,120 Square Feet
Other Games: Only machines
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Special Features: Racetrack is located in Lafayette. New racetrack is expected to open at casino by spring 2005. Live thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing (Mon/Thu-Sat) early April through late August. Simulcasting offered all year.

Harrah's Louisiana Downs
8000 E. Texas Street
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
(318) 742-5555
Website: www.harrahs.com
Map: #1

Toll-Free Number: (800) HARRAHS
Restaurants: 5 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$7.99 (Sat-Sun)  L-$9.99/$12.99 (Sun) 
D-$10.99/$15.99 (Thu)/$16.99 (Fri-Sat)
Valet Parking: $5/$3 for Gold Card members
Free for Diamond and Platinum members
Other Games: Only machines
Special Features: Live thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing (Thu-Sun) May through December. Simulcasting offered all year.