The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has given the green light to LRGC Gaming Investors, an affiliate of The Cordish Companies, granting them unanimous regulatory approval to operate as a gaming operator in the state. This significant approval paves the way for Cordish to complete its acquisition of Diamond Jacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City and embark on its transformation into a Live! casino resort.
A Transformation on the Horizon
This ambitious project encompasses the construction of the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market, effectively replacing the existing riverboat. Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is poised to make its grand debut in 2025, marking a major milestone in the development of the gaming landscape in the region.
Joe Weinberg, Managing Partner at The Cordish Companies, expressed his gratitude towards the Louisiana Gaming Control Board for their approval. He stated, “Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will be a transformative development that will bring a first-class gaming, dining, entertainment, and hospitality experience, create significant new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community. We are extremely excited to continue moving forward with this project and deliver a world-class destination to the region.”
An Exciting Future for Bossier City
Ronnie Johns, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, shared his enthusiasm about the approval, saying, “The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is pleased to announce the approval of The Cordish Companies’ acquisition of the license from the former Diamond Jacks property in Bossier City.”
He added, “Cordish has an exceptional reputation in providing first-rate casino experiences, as well as hospitality and entertainment venues across the country. We are pleased with their decision to bring their Live! brand to the State of Louisiana. We feel comfortable that their commitment to a first-class $270 million project will help grow the Bossier City/Shreveport gaming market. We welcome The Cordish Companies and look forward to working with them to bring this project to reality to open sometime in 2025.”
A Look Back at DiamondJacks
DiamondJacks in Bossier City had been shuttered since May 2020. It faced a difficult period, resulting in 349 employees being laid off and a liquidation sale after announcing that it wouldn’t reopen following pandemic restrictions. The property had held the distinction of being the first casino to open in northwest Louisiana back in 1994.
The approval by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board signals the dawn of a new era for the Bossier City gaming market and the community at large. Cordish’s commitment to developing a state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment destination promises to invigorate the region, generate economic prosperity, and create numerous job opportunities. As we look ahead to 2025, the opening of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is sure to be a momentous occasion that will shape the future of gaming and entertainment in the state.