Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge holds groundbreaking for new land-based operation

After nearly a year ago announcing that it had received approval from the Louisiana Gaming and Control Board to move its Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge riverboat gaming operation to a to-be-constructed landside facility, on August 10, 2021, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLPI) broke ground on an expansion project with a starting budget of $60 million.

Originally estimated at a spend of between $21 million and $25 million, GLPI’s investment has increased considerably.

Making the move possible is 2018 legislation that allows riverboat casinos in the Bayou State to move ashore near their original dockside locations. Prior to the new Act taking effect, casinos in most of Louisiana were limited to riverboats or barges. SB316 was signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on May 23, 2018, allowing the state’s floating casinos to move 1,200 feet onto land from their “designated berth space.”

Economic benefits: 

GLPI expects to complete the multi-million dollar project early next year, bringing with it significant economic benefits for Downtown  Baton Rouge, and according to Ronnie Johns, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, “is the right thing to do”

Johns explained that not only will the move benefit the city of Baton Rouge tremendously…

“It’ll benefit the state of Louisiana as far as increase revenue from the tax base. So, more employment. We’re excited. It’s a great day for Baton Rouge.”