Coushatta Casino Resort Ups the Ante: Unveils New $150M Luxury Hotel Expansion
T he Coushatta Casino Resort will begin construction on its largest expansion project in years next week: a $150 million luxury hotel with 204 rooms and suites.
The Coushatta Tribe owns and runs the Coushatta Casino Resort, Louisiana's biggest casino.
Nearly 2,000 slot machines, 55 live dealer table games, a bingo area, off-track betting, and a sportsbook are all features of Coushatta Casino, which opened its doors in 1995. Eight dining options, 20,000 square feet of conference space, an 18-hole championship golf course, an outdoor pool complex, and a concert theater that can accommodate over 4,000 people are all examples of resort amenities.
On March 20, the tribe will start construction on its opulent hotel. With the addition of 204 rooms, the Tribal Casino Resort will have more than 1,000 hotel rooms overall. According to Bobby Thornton, director of marketing for the casino, almost half of the additional rooms will be suites. The hotel's name is still pending.
The Golden Nugget, L'Auberge, and Horseshoe are three of the commercial casinos that operate in Kinder, which is roughly 40 miles northeast of Lake Charles.
Resort Improvement
The eight-story premium hotel with 204 rooms will be situated right next to the casino floor. Sometime next year, the Tribe will start renovating the current casino and dining options when the hotel is constructed and operational. There are also plans to add more restaurant spaces.
"As construction commences, we are excited about all the new venues and upgrades that we will be able to offer our guests, starting with this new hotel,” said Coushatta Tribal Chairman Jonathan Cernek. “Our goal is to offer our players an elevated gaming experience, and that includes top-quality lodgings and high-end dining options.”
T he hotel is anticipated to add between 150 and 200 permanent employment.
In Louisiana, the Coushatta Tribe is one of just three Tribes to get federal recognition. Other Tribal casinos in the state include Jena Choctaw Pines Casino in Dry Prong and Cyprus Bayou Casino Hotel in Charenton, both of which feature table games and slots reminiscent to those found in Las Vegas.
Texas does not deter
Las Vegas Sands is still trying to get Texas lawmakers to allow commercial casino resorts. T hough those efforts have not yet been successful, a number of notable people have contributed their powerful voices to the growth of gaming, including former Governor Rick Perry (R) and Dallas billionaire Mark Cuban.
Texas and Houston are major sources of revenue for the Coushatta Casino Resort and three commercial casinos in Lake Charles. Investments in nearby Louisiana are not being deterred by the prospect of Texas turning become a casino state.
In December 2022, Caesars Entertainment launched its brand-new Horseshoe, formerly known as Isle of Capri, while the Coushatta Tribe invested $150 million to enhance their tribal casino. That comes after an update that cost over $113 million.
The Maryland-based Cordish Companies is investing $270 million to turn the former Diamond Jacks facility in Bossier City into a land-based casino resort, approximately 150 air miles north of Lake Charles. Live! When Casino & Hotel Louisiana opens in 2025, it will increase competition in the Louisiana gaming market.
During the fiscal year 2023, Louisiana's 15 riverboat and land-based casinos brought in $2.028 billion from slots and tables. That was roughly unchanged from 2022, a slight 0.4% decrease.
