The Queen Baton Rouge will become the Louisiana city’s first land-based casino and open to the public on August 24. The project is the result of an $85m expansion on Hollywood Casino, which started in August 2021.
The opening was delayed not only to rising costs, but also rising levels of the Mississippi river, as the location is close to the levee. The gaming destination’s parent company, The Queen Casino & Entertainment, said the footprint of the location will grow from 62,000 square feet, with over 100,000 and over 750 slot machines and 18 table games will be moved from the existing riverboat onto land.
The casino will include a DraftKings sportsbook and also feature a smoking patio/bar called Lit with an additional 100 slot machines. Five restaurants and entertainment options will also include: Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken, 3 Woks Noodle Bar, Capitol Coffee Baton Rouge, 1717 and The Loft at 1717.
The current Hollywood Casino riverboat will be sold to Viking River Cruises, with the dock repurposed for the brand’s Mississippi River journeys. The local cruises bring around 600 passengers to downtown Baton Rouge.
It is expected that The Queen Baton Rouge will create 100 new jobs and that 20 people have already been hired after two recent job fairs.
Terry Downey, President and CEO of The Queen Casino & Entertainment, said in a statement, “The Queen Baton Rouge ushers in a new era not just for this historic property, but for gaming and entertainment throughout the region, and we are thrilled to open our doors for our neighbors in the Baton Rouge community and the surrounding area.”
Renovations costing $100m for another local riverboat casino, The Belle of Baton Rouge, are also underway with The Queen Casino & Entertainment saying they should be completed by October 2024.
