Ever since L’Auberge Casino & Hotel opened in 2012, there has been talk about whether Baton Rouge could support three casinos.
But while the Belle of Baton Rouge has been the weakest revenue producer in the state, new investments in the two downtown properties should end that speculation for the foreseeable future, says Ronnie Johns, who chairs the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
“We’re going to reopen the [Belle’s] hotel,” Johns told the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge [Wednesday].
Hollywood will spend about $80 million building a land-based property near its current site on the Mississippi River downtown, Johns says. On Thursday, the gaming board will consider approving a similar move for the Belle, which plans to spend at least $35 million on the redevelopment, he says.
