The Louisiana Gaming Control Board approves plans for Lake Charles based Isle of Capri riverboat casino to move on land, the first facility to make the jump 18 months after the Legislature ok’d such moves.
The plan is to shutter the riverboat and build a 112.7 million dollar facility right nearby. L-G-C-B Chairman Ronnie Jones says the plan is a major expansion in food offerings.
“They are going to team with some of the local restaurants in the Lake Charles area bringing them into a food court, there is going to be a brewhouse, they are going to completely redo their prime steakhouse,” says Jones.
Capri is just off I-10 west of Lake Charles.
Jones says the project is a significant investment for the company even as gaming revenues have stayed flat in Louisiana. He says this shows the Legislature’s decision is paying off.
“It was about these properties making a substantial investment, putting people to work in construction jobs, and increasing the number of employees once the property is up and running,” says Jones.
The new facility will have 72,000 square feet of gaming space.
Considering how hard the industry pushed to allow riverboats on land, some are surprised it’s taken one this long to announce a move, but Jones says more are likely soon to follow.
“I fully expect Boyd Gaming to bring to us plans in the next year or so to perhaps move the Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner onto land, and we are hopeful other properties will follow suit,” says Jones.
