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New Louisiana Casino Bets on Houston Customers

LOUISIANA – As reported by the Houston Chronicle: "One of the nation's newest casino resorts is hoping Houston has what it takes to help make it royally flush.

"L'Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino in Lake Charles is set to open later this month and has a marketing blitz under way that's focused largely on Houston.

"Operators of the $365 million casino complex are advertising heavily to attract Houstonians and other Texans, with a campaign and product created partly on feedback from a series of focus groups.

"…There are other casinos in Lake Charles drawing from Houston, but Pinnacle says it's trying to attract more customers and draw in bigger spenders by offering a more upscale product.

"…Pinnacle's push has renewed debate over the hundreds of millions of entertainment dollars Texans spend out of state, including in casinos in Lake Charles and elsewhere in Louisiana.

"…Louisiana casinos already take in more than $164 million a month, according to state statistics. That number doesn't include the successful Coushatta casino, run by the Alabama Coushatta Indian tribe and not subject to state regulation.

"Fifty-three percent of customers at Louisiana casinos live out of state, and most are from Texas, said Wade Duty, head of the Casino Association of

"…Gambling is a significant revenue source for the state of Louisiana, which taxes the industry. For example, there are thriving casinos in the Shreveport and Bossier City area…"

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