The first-land based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier area marked a significant milestone Wednesday, July 17.
The Cordish Companies held a 'Topping Off' ceremony for the new Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana — a project that will serve as a regional destination for entertainment and economic growth.
"It's going to be a game changer for Bossier City," said Rob Norton, President of Cordish Gaming Group. "We are celebrating the ceremonial last piece of steel to be placed into the construction project. This ceremony is an important launching off point that says we're really not that far away from opening."
"Our team has worked so hard to establish this first land-based casino in the Bossier market, and we are ecstatic to be one step closer to realizing it with today’s 'Topping Off' of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana,” said Chris Hebert, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Live! is a $270-million project set to open in the first quarter of 2025.
"You take an empty building and turn it into jobs and opportunities for the people of Louisiana," Louisiana Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Kyle Ardion said.
This project will create approximately 1,500 new jobs, including 750 new construction jobs and approximately 750 permanent jobs.
It also is expected to generate more than $35 million in gaming tax revenues for Bossier City and more than $168 million for the State of Louisiana within its first five years of operation.
"What Louisiana Live! is going to bring to this region and our area will expand tourism, economic growth that will benefit our whole entire state," Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler said. "We have already seen the benefits that Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana has brought to Bossier City."
Live! is along the Red River in Bossier City and will feature more than 47,000 square feet of gaming space, a sportsbook, 550 upscale hotel rooms, resort pool and fitness center, multi-purpose event center, 31-site RV park and 30,000 square feet of dining.
Read: Louisiana's largest new casino project builds management team in Bossier City
Two new dining experiences added
The Cordish Companies announced Wednesday two new additions to the restaurant lineup — Ridotto Grand Café and The Prime Rib steakhouse.
Ridotto Grand Café will be adjacent to the hotel lobby and will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. It is influenced by its namesake, “Il Ridotto” of Venice, the first casino in Europe. The menu will feature Italian specialties with a Venetian flair.
The Prime Rib is a sophisticated fine dining experience — garnering numerous accolades, including being ranked as a Top 10 Best Casino Restaurant by USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Awards in both 2022 and 2023.
The Prime Rib is a family-owned restaurant that features an array of steaks, such as the restaurant’s signature prime rib, prime cuts of filet mignon, ribeye, porterhouse and NY strip.
“Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is a spectacular one-stop destination for excitement for everyone from gaming enthusiasts, foodies, sports fans, concert goers or just locals and visitors looking for their next night out,” said John J. Chaszar, executive vice president and general manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.
More: Here's who Cordish has chosen to run its $270 million Louisiana casino in Bossier City
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana celebrated 'Topping Off' ceremony Wednesday
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