riverboat gambling in new orleans

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Casinos in New Orleans, Louisiana

Feeling lucky check out where to place yours bets..

Betting on a good time? In New Orleans, the odds are good you’ll find one. Gambling in New Orleans has been popular for decades, although it was not legalized until in 1990s. Previously, underground betting was extremely popular because the state did not allow it. However, horse-race bets have been allowed since the 1920s and have remained popular since.

In 1991, Louisiana voted that up to 15 riverboat casinos could operate in the local waterways, in hopes to boost the state’s economy. Also, the state lottery began in the same year, including Powerball and scratch-off tickets. Soon thereafter, video poker outlets and casinos were also legalized and began popping up across the state. Gambling and casinos in New Orleans remain a prominent part of the city’s economy and nightlife. Come place your bets and collect your winnings in New Orleans!

Best Casinos in New Orleans

Harrah’s Casino , within easy strolling distance of the  French Quarter  and the  Ernest N. Morial Convention Center , delivers high-octane Vegas-style gaming, entertainment, and restaurants. With over 2,000 slot machines, 100 table games, a poker room,  hotel ,  and nightclub, many would argue that it is the best casino in not only New Orleans, but Louisiana. It is by law the only land-based private casino in the state and referred to as the official gaming establishment.

However, there are other spots to place your bets around the city. Across the Mississippi, on the Westbank, there’s Boomtown New Orleans for a little more low-key fun. Boomtown offers nightly shows, slots, table games and dining. The New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots has large slot machine rooms and video poker as well as off-track betting. Other places throughout the city offer video poker rooms and off-track betting for a variety of gambling. You will often find gaming devices at bars around town as well. For a list of casinos for when you are feeling lucky, see below.

SPORTS BETTING IN NEW ORLEANS

Online sports betting became live and legal in New Orleans in January 2022, allowing fans to bet on their favorite local teams via the Caesars Sportsbook app . Caesars has partnered with Harrah’s to make sports betting fast, simple and rewarding through its Caesars Rewards loyalty program. Learn the ins and outs of sports betting on the Caesars website here . Other popular sports-betting apps, including FanDuel and DraftKings, are also legal in Louisiana. 

NEW ORLEANS GAMBLING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

You must be 21 years old to enter and/or gamble as at a casino or video poker machine in Louisiana. However, you can bet at the horse race or buy a lottery ticket if you are 18 and older.

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LAST UPDATED BY 10Best Editors May 19, 2012

Head for one of our listed casinos and take a chance at winning big. Bear in mind that many casinos, and state legislation itself, mandate age limits for entrance. Have fun, and don't spend it all in one place!

Harrah's New Orleans Hotel and Casino

Roll the dice and let the good times roll at Harrah's New Orleans. Located near the French Quarter, this heralded landmark and its incredible selection of more than 2,100 slots and over 100 table games make Harrah's the perfect place to play the odds in NOLA. After raising the stakes in the world-class poker room, guests can savor delectable dishes at Besh Steak or Bambu before cooling off at the ice bar in Masquerade nightclub.

Read more about Harrah's New Orleans Hotel and Casino →

Boomtown Casino New Orleans

With more than 1,500 slots, over 30 table games and seven poker tables, this 24-hour casino serves up a satisfying gumbo of gambling options. That's not to mention Boomtown's five standout restaurants, which include the Bayou Market Buffet, a delightful smorgasbord of fresh, local seafood and high quality meats. Located only 13 miles outside the city, Boomtown affords Big Easy visitors big thrills and easy fun for an experience that doesn't disappoint.

Read more about Boomtown Casino New Orleans →

Treasure Chest

At Treasure Ches, a full service casino on Lake Pontchartrain more than 950 one-armed bandits are waiting to surrender their loot to lucky winners. Table game enthusiasts can make the rounds at blackjack, roulette, craps and poker tables, and Treasure Chest is open to the wee hours on weekends so visitors can bet until the break of dawn. Treasure Chest is close to the airport and just 15 miles from New Orleans.

Read more about Treasure Chest →

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All the games you can imagine are in New Orleans riverboat casinos

The most festive and entertaining culture can be found in New Orleans. The state is popular for its vibrant nightlife and equally rich history. It is home to the Jazz and Heritage Festival and Mardi Gras. Bourbon Street and the internationally famous French Quarter can also be found here.

New Orleans is a gambler's haven, too. Four out of the 20 casinos in Louisiana is established in this city. Multiple riverboat casinos also put up here because of the city's ideal location. These establishments offer an exciting alternative when the usual casinos aren't your thing.

New Orleans has recovered quite well since it was battered by Hurricane Katrina. There are new places now where visitors can enjoy a comfortable accommodation during their stay in the city. If you are ready for some fun in this thrilling town, here are some of the best New Orleans riverboat casinos to hit while in town.

Boomtown Casino

Boomtown is by far the biggest New Orleans riverboat casino around the southeast Louisiana area. It started operations in 1997 and is around 15 minutes away from the world-famous French Quarter. It has a wide assortment of games including more than 1,500 video poker and slots machines and 30 table games. An additional feature is the five restaurants featuring both local and foreign cuisine. There is also a night club aptly named "Boomers" that is open all day and night for those who want do some dancing and partying. All these amenities are located in a building situated across the establishment. A $20 million project for expansion has been announced in 2012 so new rooms and additional amenities will soon be available.

Treasure Chest Casino

Another top New Orleans riverboat casino, Treasure Chest can be found on the city's west side of the metropolitan area and has more than 19,000 games on offer. The most attention-grabbing feature of this place is its grand and beautiful façade that carries all the glamour reminiscent of the city. This is a popular photo site for tourists and the crowd is always thick here.

Dining options include the usual sumptuous buffet at Treasure Island Buffet, while authentic Nola dishes such as fresh seafood and po-boys can be savored at Café Pontchartrain. The Hotel Kenner is conveniently situated nearby. They have wonderful amenities for both business and leisure reasons at affordable rates. This would be the perfect place to stay when you want to spend quite some time at Treasure Chest.

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Riverboat Gambling - New Orleans Forum

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If you really want to experience a riverboat, we have two in the suburbs: Treasure Chest in Kenner (near the airport) and Boomtown in Harvey, across the river. Keep in mind they stay docked, so each may as well be land-based!

Harrah's is so nice and right downtown...don't even waste the trip to the burbs for a riverboat- they aren't really riverboats, anyway. They are giant docked barges and hold absolutely no appeal.

The cajun queen on the river are the real thing (without gambling) and much more enjoyable.

Hi Allentown,

I agree, try Harrahs downtown, it's great !! Sign up for their players club when you get there. They usually have some sort of bonus to give you for signing up. We got a $ 10.00 slot credit each when we signed up and after playing for one hour ( make sure to insert your players card in the machine) we went back and they gave us each a scratch off ticket which my wife won $ 50.00 on and I won $ 15.00 on mine.

Have a great time, we'll be back there the end of April for a week.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Star Casino Launches Louisiana Gaming Boat Business

The burgeoning gaming vessel market marked a symbolic first with the dedication, christening and official opening of Star Casino, Louisiana's first modern riverboat casino.

"With the dedication of this vessel, we herald the beginning of a new era in Louisiana's gaming history," said Louie Roussel, majority owner of Star Casino, Inc. and well-known New Orleans businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. "We are proud to be the first riverboat casino to come on-line in Louisiana. We want to assure the public t h a t the Star Casino will continue to be 'first' for many years to come ... first in customer service, first in quality entertainment and fun, and first in fairness and integrity of operation," Mr. Roussel continued. After a few setbacks with the U.S. Coast Guard and New Orleans City Council members, Louisiana's first riverboat casino was on its way to making riverboat gaming history. The 265-foot Caterpillar-powered Star Casino boasts an impressive equipment list with the likes of Raytheon VHF radio and radar, Thrustmaster thrusters, engine controls and steering controls, and a Ritchie Compass. Star Casino is a tri-level, 22,500-sq.-ft. floating Las Vegas-style casino with a beam of 80 feet and a 14-foot draft. The Star Casino has a capacity for approximately 1,250 guests. The onboard entertainment features a number of games of chance, including 760 slot machines; 39 gaming tables for blackjack, craps, and roulette; and video poker.

The $12 million vessel was constructed in about eight months by Bender Shipyard in Braithewaite, La. Claire Amiss, marketing manager of Star Casino, Inc., says Bender was chosen to build the Star Casino based on the company's fine reputation. Mr. Roussel wishes to convey the importance of the fact that Louisiana's first gaming riverboat will be locally-run. "This is a locallyowned, locally-constructed riverboat casino, that is providing jobs for approximately 1,000 people in the New Orleans area. Our annual payroll will be about $17 million," Mr. Roussel commented. "Even before opening, the Star has made a very positive impact on our local economy, and will continue to do so, because the Star Casino is a locally owned and operated boat. That means salaries and winnings as well as the profits and taxes stay right here in Louisiana instead of leaving our state," Mr. Roussel continued. The riverboat docks at the Star Casino Terminal, a 34,000-sq.-ft. modern building which houses an information booth, reservations booth, restaurant, gift shop, cocktail bar and the security operations center of the Star Casino.

Security at Star Casino is of primary importance, according to Mr.

Roussel. The security system is elaborate and features state-of-theart equipment. Walter J. Tirrell,Star Casino: Louisiana's First Riverboat Casino director of security, claims that the entire Star Casino complex is monitored and patrolled 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of employees and guests.

The Star Casino operator is the well-known casino company Showboat, Inc., an operation with successful gaming establishments in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Keith Wallace, former general manager of the Showboat Casino in Las Vegas, will serve as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Mr. Wallace has played a major role in the start-up of Star Casino, and his history of casino management experience qualifies him to direct the Star Casino team.

A black-tie celebration was held at the Star Casino Terminal at South Shore Harbor on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, La. in late October. A formal christening ceremony for the 19th century paddlewheel replica was held at the terminal with state and local dignitaries particip a t i n g . Governor Edwin W.

Edwards, Mayor Sidney Barthelemy, Senate President Sammy Nunez, and Speaker of the House John Alario joined the Hon orable Robert G. Harvey, presi dent, Board of Commissioners of thi Orleans Levee District, and Mr Roussel to dedicate the boat and t< officially open Star Casino, followec by a fireworks display over Lake Pontchartrain, the largest single lake in the U.S., where the Stai Casino will operate 365 days a year, Star Casino officially opened for business on November 8.

The gaming vessel market has been gaining support across the U.S., with Indiana's recent legalization of riverboat gaming prompting 28 applications for t h a t state's 11 licenses.

Other states are not far behind, and sources within the industry estimate that Ohio and Texas are two states likely to join the riverboat gaming ranks soon.

Louisiana, which has been one of the more active states legislatively from the beginning of the boom, will one day have 15 riverboat gaming vessels licensed in the state, as dictated by current law.

The gaming vessel market has obviously resulted in a much-needed boost for many shipyards attempting to make the change from the Navy business of the past to the booming commercial business of the future. Equipment manufacturers have also profited from the extra business, a testimony to that being the Star Casino's impressive equipment list.

The following manufacturers helped make the Star Casino a reality in just eight months:

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Casinos in New Orleans, LA: List of Places for Gambling

Jerry’s greatest advantage is his extensive experience on the casino floor. His time as a casino manager taught him everything about what makes a player tick. Besides being a skilled poker player , he has deep knowledge of all live table games and gambling regulations in the US.

New Orleans is a place of music, art and gambling dating since the early 18th century. Nowadays, there are 47 casinos and 1 racetrack with over 2,400 slot machines and 130+ table games. ... One thing is sure for your trip - you won't get bored! Between all of that Jazzy music and amazingly warm hospitality of the locals.

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New Orleans Casinos Map

You need first to get familiar with the locations of the casinos and then to choose one and of course because some of them don’t offer accommodation you should have in mind a backup plan. In a manner of facts, we have prepared all of that for you, all you need to do is just keep reading. Check the table below with the exact addresses and later in the article, we will give you more details regarding the available accommodation.

The Best Casinos in New Orleans

And now it's time for the very best casinos in New Orleans. You need to know of exactly we measure that of course, that is based on detailed research online from different sources regarding the best payouts, best accommodation, best venues, and the best feedback. Harrah`s New Orleans Hotel & Casino appears to be the biggest and the best place to stay because it offers proper and luxury accommodation altogether with a huge casino and hotel base.

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What Casino Games Can You Play in New Orleans?

From a gaming point of view in New Orleans casinos you can find a large variety of all types of games starting from slot machines to tables games and racing bets. Louisiana is a poker state and in New Orleans, you will be able to find seasonal, weekly and occasional poker tournaments to participate or if you prefer you can play Blackjack, roulettes or dice games.

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Hotels Near Casinos in New Orleans

In case the place you are looking for is fully booked or you are just looking for more options regarding the accommodation, we can help out. We have 2 suggestions and that's the Hilton Hotel which is 150m away from Harrah`s New Orleans Casino and the Treme Hotel stationed around a mile away from the Fair Grounds Race Course.

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Support for gambling addiction, what was the highest casino win in new orleans, can you smoke in new orleans casinos, do you get free drinks in the casinos, what is the legal age to gamble in new orleans, la.

And the time came to make a quick summary about New Orleans casinos. From an overall point of perspective, the city of New Orleans is full of history, myths, and legends and to visit it is a worthy adventure appreciated by all of its guests. From a gambling perspective it's also a proven place for all casino enthusiasts and people seeking for their luck in this magical city.

Disclaimer: With regard to any changes related to the information about a casino, we won't be held responsible if such differences occur. We advise our readers to double-check the official website of the casino for the most accurate information.

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Risky business: Gambling on a constitutional convention

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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry recently requested that the Legislature call a constitutional convention. He says the current constitution is too restrictive, and forbids cuts to most agencies, resulting in most cuts falling on higher education and healthcare. He also says that most of the amendments in the constitution should be statutes that can be changed by the state legislature.

The enabling legislation that made it out of the House proposes to hold a two-week convention starting Aug.1, with convention committees meeting prior to the convention to receive public comments. 

The current Louisiana constitution is a flawed and excessively-amended document and should be rewritten at some point. However, the legislation being sent over to the Senate for debate is setting up a rushed, high-risk process that makes it difficult for ordinary citizens to have their voices heard. It would increase the influence of the governor by giving him more discretionary power over how state money is spent, but it’s unclear how it would help ordinary citizens. 

The first problem with current convention legislation is the lack of public input. The constitutional convention of 1973 had a long series of open meetings that stretched over an entire year. Meetings were not only held in Baton Rouge. Committee members traveled to all parts of the state to make sure that any citizen who wanted to participate in a public meeting received the opportunity.

The 1973 convention was composed primarily of elected delegates. Some were state lawmakers, some were local officeholders, but many were simply private citizens who chose to run for a delegate seat. The current legislation calls for a convention of strictly state legislators and gubernatorial appointees. It’s not really a recipe for broad public participation. 

This is especially problematic for the urban areas of the state. The main protection that a city such as New Orleans, a heavily Democratic city in a Republican state, has is a home rule charter. The central structure of city government is shielded from state interference by the home rule charter rights written into the constitution. A hostile group of delegates could weaken the home rule charter provisions in the document. They could choose to change the form of government of the city altogether, taking away the power of the mayor and City Council to appoint members of city boards and commissions, such as the City Planning Commission or Sewerage & Water Board, and give those powers to the state. 

The governor’s legislative floor leaders have responded to criticism that the time period allocated to write a new constitution is too short to allow broad public participation by describing the new constitution as a refresh or a streamlining. They argue that their goal is not to write a new constitution from scratch, but simply to remove all of the provisions that should be legislative statutes. Their stated plan is a “limited convention.”

There is no such thing as a limited convention. There is nothing in Louisiana law that would stop delegates from immediately expanding the scope of the convention once they go into session. History indicates that governors and legislative floor leaders usually lose control of these conventions.

Veteran political journalist Jeremy Alford, in his book, “The Last Constitution,” said that the last time the state wrote a new constitution, in 1973, newly-elected Governor Edwin Edwards ran on a very specific set of constitutional reforms. Since Edwards was a popular and powerful governor, everyone expected the delegates to follow his charge. Alford said: “The delegates, however, ignored that charge and penned a plan for drafting their own constitution on the back of a cocktail napkin from Pastime Lounge, which in turn became one of the first official documents entered into the convention record.”

Given the high stakes of getting this convention wrong, it is time for the Senate to slow the process down, stretch it out, schedule public meetings across the state, and bring more private citizens into the process. 

Ultimately, the voters will have the final say because a new constitution must be approved by a simple majority in a statewide vote. It would be preferable to bring broad public participation at the start of the process rather than waiting until the end. Rushing the process and excluding most of the voters runs the risk of dealing the state a losing hand in the end.

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Robert Collins

Robert Collins is a professor of Urban Studies and Public Policy at Dillard, where he holds the Conrad N. Hilton Endowed Professorship. He previously held positions as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences... More by Robert Collins

Westminster Kennel Club dog show: A big upset on agility day, betting on Best in Show and more

Based on name alone, “Nimble” should have been an odds-on favorite to win the Westminster Kennel Club’s Masters Agility Championship Saturday night at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. But she entered the contest as barely an afterthought and pulled off a major upset to win her category.

More than 350 dogs competed in agility on Saturday; the top 10 from each height category (8”,   12”,   16”, 20″ and 24”) move on from the preliminaries to the championships. Border Collies have won eight of the last 11 agility titles; an Australian Shepherd won in 2016, a Shetland Sheepdog in 2022.

One of the reasons that six-year-old Nimble might have been something of a long shot was her breed. She’s classified as an “All-American Dog,” WKC-speak for mixed breeds or (less charitably?) mutts. One look at her, though, and even the most uninformed of observers would likely have put her in the contender category: she’s a Border Collie/Papillon cross. The latter breed has dominated this competition, and the top three finishers in this year’s 8” class were all Papillons.

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Another underdog factor is Nimble’s size: no 12” dog had ever emerged as agility champion at this event.

But she’s trained and handled by Cynthia Hornor of Ellicott City, MD, who won the 20” Masters Agility last year at this show with Truant, a Border Collie. Truant and Hornor also won their class at the American Kennel Club Nationals two years ago, while Nimble took the 12” class at that event this year.

Nimble’s class went fourth of five, and she was the eighth of 10 in her class to compete. A Cocker Spaniel named Allie, handled by Staten Island’s Jennifer Albrizio, was in the lead with a clean run and a time of 38.59 through the 18 elements, which include:

• Pause Table
• Weave Poles
• Double Bar Jump
• Triple Bar Jump

(Note: some elements are repeated throughout the run, totaling 18)

All business from the jump, Nimble zipped through the elements, eliciting cries of delight from the spectators, who just about   filled the lower bowl of the stadium. Disciplined and speedy at every step, Nimble cut corners and seemed to barely need cuing — and though she took one of the last jumps a little wide, she stopped the timer in 28.76, bettering Allie’s time by nearly 10 seconds, bringing the Ashe crowd to their feet (the record time is 28.44, set in 2013).

SUB :30 FOR NIMBLE! 🔥👏 A ROUND OF APP-PAWS FOR THOSE SPEEDY LITTLE LEGS! pic.twitter.com/b6rLlcMI3B — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 12, 2024

“I never thought a 12-inch dog could win overall here,” said Hornor after receiving her trophy. “She’s just the most special dog, and she is so fast. From the time she was about six months and we began to do foundation work, she would just leave me in the dust.”

Nimble won both the Agility Championship and the All-American Dog Award — the first dog to do so. The former is determined by how many yards per second the competitor covers, which generally favors the bigger dogs. Not this year.

Hornor also admitted that you need some luck not only to win top honors, but also to get to the final at all. There is a selection process that determines which dogs move on from the preliminaries — finishing among the fastest in a size class doesn’t necessarily mean getting to compete. To avoid having a final class that is all one breed, for example, judges might pass over a dog that finished fourth in the preliminaries, if the top four finishers were all of the same breed.

There were also concerns this year about the new competition surface, which, according to several handlers, led to more slipping than usual, both because the surface itself is slippery and because the surface would move under the dogs’ feet, preventing them from getting purchase as they approached an element.

Even after a catastrophic run, no doubt amid stinging disappointment, treats and hugs and love were plentiful. The dogs seemed fairly unperturbed and pretty happy, doing what dogs do, though Nimble did look a little tired in Hornor’s arms as the handler spoke to reporters.

Throughout the day, Nimble’s charisma, speed, and personality got the audience’s attention. I was in attendance and can admit she was hard to take your eyes off.

“That’s why I wanted to get her to the final,” said Horner. “I knew that she would be a dog that New York would love watching.”

But how about a dog New Yorkers would want to bet on?

I say this with the caveat that we don’t have to bet on everything . And the dog show is simply wonderful as it is — unperturbed by faux experts making picks on X accounts and bragging about their accomplishments later. But, coming off covering the Kentucky Derby, and days before I’ll cover the Preakness, I did at least… wonder.

Even if you had been able to suss out Nimble as an upset winner, you wouldn’t have been able to cash in on it, as U.S. sportsbooks don’t offer the bet.

Google “bet on WKC agility championships,” and you get a couple of sponsored ads for online betting companies and not much else. Search for information on the main dog show (taking place Monday and Tuesday evenings — the famed “Best in Show” is awarded Tuesday night), and a fair number of sites pop up that offer the odds on which breed will take Best in Show, but only sites in Canada and the U.K. seem to offer the actual bet.

Sportsbooks shy from taking bets on judged events, preferring outcomes that take place on the field of play. The Agility competition, however, places dogs based on the speed with which they navigate an obstacle course of jumps, weaving poles, and climbing elements, with an on-course judge deducting points for infractions like knocking down a jump bar, doing the obstacles in the wrong order, or missing one of the weave poles.

“U.S. sportsbooks are held to an extremely high regulatory standard,” said Brianne Doura-Schawohl, gaming policy expert and founder/CEO of Doura-Schawohl Consulting . “They are only allowed to offer bets if an ‘event,’ such as the Westminster Kennel Club Agility Championship or main show, has been authorized and deemed acceptable by the state gaming regulator/authority.” To Doura-Schawohl’s knowledge, no state regulator has approved the events yet.

Which isn’t to say the books can’t ask. “Several years ago,” Doura-Schawohl says, “the State of Colorado was approached by a sportsbook to take bets on the Puppy Bowl. While ultimately rejected due to integrity concerns, many books, when asked if they would consider such a thing, balked at the idea.”

(It did, however, lead to this sparkling, hilarious essay as one writer tried to track down which company requested permission to take the bet.)

Doura-Schawohl also cautioned that any customers who do find such opportunities online would likely be betting with an unprotected, illegal sportsbook, not held to the same regulations and safeguards as registered legal U.S. books.

So there are no big betting scores awaiting you in the world of canine competition, but it’s not a lucrative one for the participants, either; as competition veteran Amy Epstein of Long Island put it, “You don’t make money in dog agility. You spend money.”

The winner of the Masters Agility Championship gets $5,000 – not to keep, but to donate to the American Kennel Club training club of their choice or the AKC Humane Fund. A donation of $1,000 is also made in the names of the Highest Scoring All-American Dog, as well as the four remaining first place dogs in their height classes.

Amy Haynes’ dog, Carat, qualified in terms of times for the final, but was ultimately not selected for the final. An agility competitor since 2011, Haynes also emphasized the need for everything to go just right.

“One little thing can go wrong, and that’s it,” she said. “And the dog doesn’t know he did something wrong, so you just have to love your dog.”

(All photos from WKC, via O & Co. Media)

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Teresa Genaro is a contributor to The Athletic's horse racing coverage. A veteran turf writer, she has published work in The New York Times, The Guardian, Bloodhorse magazine, The Racing Biz, and New York Breeder and was featured in the PBS documentaries The Track at Saratoga: America's Grandest Race Course and Old Bones: The Story of Exterminator. She co-hosted a web series for The Racing Biz on diversity and equity in the horse racing industry. A native of Saratoga Springs, she teaches high school English in Brooklyn.