Southeast Louisiana casinos, a sure bet for fun

Games of chance have long held a prominent place in Louisiana, from the craps dens of early New Orleans to the fabled riverboat gambler circuit. Those in search of the action today will find a variety of modern gaming spots in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge, each with its own attitude and amenities.

Harrah's New Orleans Casino was a game-changer when it opened in the late 1990s as the state's only land-based casino. Located next door to the French Quarter, Harrah's has some 115,000 square feet of lushly decorated gaming areas with 2,100 slots and more than 100 table games, plus a dedicated poker room and high-roller options. Touring acts and local productions headline Harrah's Theater and Masquerade nightclub. Across the street, Harrah's has developed its Fulton Street Mall as a pedestrian corridor lined with shops, restaurants and performance areas.

Just outside New Orleans, a pair of casino boats conjures the riverboat gambler legacy of yore. You needn't worry about cruising schedules though; these vessels normally remain berthed. The Treasure Chest Casino enjoys a vantage for sweeping sunsets from its dock on Lake Pontchartrain. Treasure Chest boasts 950 slots and 30 table games over its multi-level gaming floor. Local bands and performers take the stage in the Caribbean Showroom.

Across the Mississippi River, Boomtown Casino opens three riverboat decks with 1,500 slots and 30 table games on the Harvey Canal. Musicians ranging from R&B legends to modern country crooners make the rounds at Boomers Nightclub. The casino also has an all-ages arcade with video games galore.

Riverboat casinos in Baton Rouge are similarly at your service day and night along the Mississippi riverfront. The Belle of Baton Rouge Casino has 1,000 slots and the full range of table games aboard, while on dry land the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel houses restaurants and a tropical atrium that hosts concerts and sporting events.

Just upriver, visitors to Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge can try their luck at 1,100 slots and an array of table games under the shadow of the towering state capitol. Studio Seven at Hollywood Casino offers live entertainment on the weekends.

Back in New Orleans, the oldest gaming venue in town is also home to a recent expansion. Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has been a showcase for the sport of kings since 1872. Now, in addition to seasonal thoroughbred racing (from November through March), Fair Grounds has a slots facility with 600 machines, plus simulcast wagering available year-round.

Take a short jaunt to the southwest to enjoy the Amelia Belle Casino and the flavor of Cajun fun near Morgan City.

Whether you pine for the thunder of hooves, the tumble of dice or the whirl of slots, these southeast Louisiana attractions have you covered.