Any new casino purchasing the Diamond Jacks hotel, convention center and riverboat must obtain the approval of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Last year the Board commissioned a study of the Louisiana gaming facilities by Spectrum Consulting Group. The conclusions for the Shreveport Bossier market were dismal,
Spectrum recommended that Boomtown and Diamond Jacks be relocated--one to Lake Pontchartrian and the other to the northeast region of the state. This report estimated that an additional $14 million in gaming revenues for the state would be generated by these riverboat moves.
The gaming world has changed substantially as a result of COVID-19, and to the detriment of the Louisiana casinos. In other words there is more validation for last year's report now.
Diamond Jacks had been on a downward spiral for quite some time before the COVID-19 shutdown. Now it is another business "death" from the virus.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.