Cordish Companies submits plans for new Live! casino to Louisiana's regulator

The Cordish Companiespresented Monday master project plans to theLouisiana Gaming Control Board for the redevelopment of Diamond Jacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City.

Cordish intends to transform the property, which has been closed since March 2020, into a Live! casino resort and entertainment destination, including the construction of a land-based casino to replace the existing casino riverboat. Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is scheduled to open in 2025

Joe Weinberg, Managing Partner, The Cordish Companies, said: "We're very excited and honored to present our plans to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and thank them for their enthusiastic support of our project. 

"Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will be a world-class resort destination that brings a first-class gaming, dining, entertainment, and hospitality experience to the region, creates significant new jobs, and generates millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community. We look forward to working with Foundation Gaming & Entertainment, state and local officials, and the community to bring the project to fruition," the executive commented.

For his part, Greg Guida, Co-CEO of Foundation Gaming & Entertainment, added: "The development plan for the Diamond Jacks property that was presented this morning will be transformative, and we are thrilled to be a part of it. We are looking forward to finishing the demolition that was started in February to get the property ready for the transformation to a Live! Casino & Hotel."

The LIVE! Casino Hotel & Louisiana is a $250+ million investment that will offer world-class gaming, dining, entertainment, and hospitality. The property will feature over 47,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,000+ slots, electronic table games, and 30+ live-action table games; an upscale resort-style hotel with 400+ rooms, a 25,000-square-foot event center, structured and surface parking, and 30,000 square feet of dining and entertainment venues, including six new food and beverage outlets.

Ronnie Johns, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, said: "The Louisiana Gaming Control Board looks forward to working with The Cordish Companies to bring a world-class casino and entertainment destination to the Bossier/Shreveport market. The reputation of The Cordish Companies throughout the country for owning and operating first-class casinos, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment destinations is exemplary. We thank Cordish for choosing Louisiana to bring their expertise and major investment to our gaming market."

 "The Board also wants to thank Foundation Gaming for their vision in beginning this much-needed process of rebuilding a closed casino property. We will be working closely with both Foundation and Cordish to make this project a reality as soon as possible to deliver a gaming and entertainment destination that Louisiana can be proud of," he stated.

Thomas Chandler, Mayor of Bossier City, LA, also commented on the new development: "We are very excited to welcome The Cordish Companies team to Bossier City and look forward to working with them on this beautiful project."

"Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana will attract millions of visitors to our city, create substantial new jobs, and generate additional significant tax revenue for our community. It's a life changer for our region," he added.

In addition to fully renovating the hotel rooms and public space, Cordish plans to develop a brand new, land-based casino to replace the existing casino riverboat, as well as introduce a variety of new dining and entertainment concepts, including a fine dining steakhouse and an Asian restaurant.

Among the featured outlets in the facility will be Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar, two powerhouse names that are among the fastest-growing concepts in the United States.

For over a century, The Cordish Companies has created and managed a portfolio of upscale mixed-use, entertainment and casino resort destinations throughout the United States. Its Live! brand welcomes over 55 million annual visitors to its dining, entertainment, casino, hotel, and sports-anchored entertainment districts, many of which have revitalized communities and reshaped the social and economic landscape of major markets across the country. 

In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed casinos such as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Florida; the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa in Florida; Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland; Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia; and Live! Casino Pittsburgh.