By Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
On Thursday Feb. 6, 2025, the staff of the nearly completed $270 million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana welcomed members of the local and regional media for an exclusive preview tour ahead of its highly anticipated grand opening. The event provided an inside look at the state-of-the-art gaming, dining, and entertainment destination as it nears final preparations for its grand opening. Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is scheduled to open on Thursday Feb. 13, 2025.
Attendees were given an extensive tour of the luxury hotel, expansive casino floor, fine dining venues, and live entertainment spaces. Construction crews are working to complete finishing touches, while new team members participated in training and orientation sessions in the Event Center meeting rooms. The preview also highlighted the property’s art installations, featuring contributions from both local and internationally recognized artists.
“We’re not just a casino. We’re not just a collection of restaurants. We’re not just a hotel. We are an entertainment destination,” said Joshua Robinson, vice president of marketing for Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.
It was also announced that the space will feature a retail DraftKings Sportsbook.
The DraftKings Sportsbook, strategically located within Sports & Social, the premier sports bar and restaurant in the United States, will offer guests an immersive sports entertainment atmosphere highlighted by a state-of-the-art LED media wall, made-from-scratch dining options, and expertly crafted cocktails. Gamedays at Sports & Social will feature an electric environment with emcees and DJs, competitions and games, and industry-leading audio and visual displays, including music and light effects.
Culinary and Entertainment Experience
A key highlight of the media preview was the unveiling of the venue’s diverse dining and nightlife establishments, offering signature dishes and specialty cocktails. Featured venues include:
- Sports & Social – A high-energy sports bar with an immersive LED media wall, craft cocktails, and interactive entertainment.
- PBR Cowboy Bar – A country-western venue featuring live music, mechanical bull riding, and an energetic nightlife atmosphere.
- Luk Fu – An Asian dining experience offering dim sum, pho, sushi, and wok-fried specialties from Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and China.
- The Prime Rib – A fine-dining steakhouse known for premium cuts, seafood, and a refined ambiance.
- Ridotto Grand Café – An Italian eatery inspired by Venice’s historic first casino, serving all-day favorites.
- The R-Bar – A cocktail and oyster bar featuring fresh seafood, handcrafted drinks, and live entertainment.
Gaming, Hotel, and Event Center Highlights
Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is set to offer an unparalleled gaming and hospitality experience, featuring:
- More than 47,000 square feet of gaming space, including over 1,000 slot machines and electronic table games, and more than 40 live-action table games
- A sportsbook for sports betting enthusiasts
- A 549-room upscale hotel, complete with a resort pool and fitness center
- A 31-site RV park with concrete pads and full hook-ups
- A 25,000-square-foot multipurpose Event Center, designed for top-name entertainment, conventions, corporate gatherings, and social events
- 30,000 square feet of best-in-class dining and entertainment venues
Economic and Community Impact
The arrival of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is expected to have a significant economic and community impact, including:
- $35 million in gaming tax revenue for the city of Bossier and $168 million for the state of Louisiana within the first five years
- Over 750 new full-time jobs, with $34 million in annual salaries, wages, and tips
- Construction and vendor opportunities for local, minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses
- Apprenticeship and training programs to develop a skilled workforce
- A boost in tourism, attracting thousands of visitors to Bossier City and the Ark-La-Tex region
Meetings and Events
The Live! Event Center offers more than 25,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a large ballroom, breakout rooms, pre-function space, and an executive boardroom. Equipped with high-tech A/V systems, the venue is designed to accommodate events ranging from corporate meetings to weddings and galas. Event spaces include:
- The Event Center, which seats up to 1,170 guests and can be divided into three smaller sections
- The River Room, a distraction-free setting for up to 171 guests
- The Delta Room, offering 1,405 square feet of space for up to 141 guests
- The Harbor Boardroom, ideal for executive meetings of up to 15 people
Employment Opportunities
Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is actively hiring for various positions across multiple departments, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, food and beverage, security, and casino operations. The company prioritizes hiring local residents first, followed by hiring residents from surrounding communities. Workforce development programs include:
- Local job placement workshops
- Community-based job fairs and recruitment events
- Apprenticeship and contractor mentoring programs
- Partnerships with local colleges and universities
Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is set to officially open to the public on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, pending final approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. The casino’s prime location at 711 Live Casino Blvd. in Bossier City, Louisiana, offers convenient access off U.S. Highway 71 and Interstate 20, approximately 20 miles from the Texas border and 40 miles from the Arkansas border.
As final preparations are underway, excitement continues to build for what promises to be a game-changing entertainment destination in northwest Louisiana.
