New Orleans Louisiana Casino Advantage Play Guide

New Orleans is a unique AP market anchored by Caesars New Orleans — the only land-based casino within city limits and the only Caesars Rewards property in the region. Boomtown Casino sits 10 miles away on the west bank for Penn mychoice earning, and Louisiana's statewide video poker bars add an entirely separate layer for VP specialists. For Caesars Rewards tier building in the South, New Orleans is a primary destination.

Louisiana Gaming Overview

Louisiana has one of the most varied gaming landscapes in the country. The state permits riverboat casinos, land-based casinos (a small number with special licenses), racinos, and video poker machines in licensed bars, restaurants, and truck stops. New Orleans itself has just one commercial casino — Caesars New Orleans — operating under a unique land-based license. All other casinos in the state operate as riverboats or are located outside city limits.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates commercial gaming. Louisiana's riverboat casinos operate traditional slot machines and table games. Louisiana also has tribal gaming properties in the northern and central parts of the state.

Caesars New Orleans (formerly Harrah's New Orleans)

Caesars New Orleans is the anchor property for New Orleans AP players and the only Caesars Rewards-earning casino in the city. It holds a unique land-based license that makes it the sole commercial casino permitted within New Orleans city limits.

1,400+ machines; Caesars Rewards loyalty earning
Caesars Rewards — same card as Caesars Palace, Harrah's properties, Horseshoe properties, and 50+ locations nationally
Located in the Central Business District, walking distance from the French Quarter
Full hotel-casino resort with multiple restaurants and entertainment venues
Only Caesars Rewards property in the New Orleans market — essential for regional tier maintenance

New Orleans Caesars Circuit: Caesars New Orleans is the sole Caesars Rewards property in the market. The nearest additional Caesars properties are Harrah's Gulf Coast (Biloxi, MS, approximately 1.5 hours east) and Horseshoe Bossier City (Shreveport, LA, approximately 5 hours northwest). New Orleans trips are most efficient as dedicated Caesars coin-in sessions when targeting regional tier status.

Boomtown Casino New Orleans

Boomtown Casino New Orleans is located in Harvey, Louisiana on the west bank of the Mississippi River — approximately 10 miles from the French Quarter via the Crescent City Connection bridge.

1,300+ machines; Penn mychoice loyalty earning
Penn mychoice — same card as Hollywood Casinos, Ameristar, L'Auberge Lake Charles, and 40+ Penn properties nationally
Riverboat casino format; free parking on-site
Useful for AP players building Penn mychoice tiers who are already in the New Orleans area

L'Auberge Lake Charles

L'Auberge Lake Charles is approximately 3 hours west of New Orleans on I-10 and is the largest Penn mychoice property in Louisiana, functioning as a full resort destination.

1,600+ machines; Penn mychoice earning — same card as Boomtown New Orleans and all Penn properties
Full resort: hotel, pool, spa, golf, multiple restaurants — practical for multi-night Penn mychoice trip
Lake Charles also has Bally's Lake Charles (formerly Isle of Capri), which is part of the Bally's loyalty program
Lake Charles is roughly halfway between Houston and New Orleans on I-10 — efficient stop on extended Gulf Coast AP routes

Louisiana Video Poker Bars

Louisiana is one of the few states that permits video poker machines in licensed bars and restaurants. Establishments may operate up to three machines each, and the machines are regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Machines are found statewide — in bars, restaurants, truck stops, and convenience stores
Some locations offer full-pay or near-full-pay video poker tables competitive with casino floor machines
Pay tables vary significantly by location and machine; scouting and pay table verification is required
No loyalty program earning at video poker bars — these are standalone play opportunities only
Popular among VP specialists who plan Louisiana-specific video poker routes

New Orleans AP Circuit Strategy

Caesars Rewards players: Caesars New Orleans is your primary New Orleans destination — 1,400+ machines, solo Caesars property in the market. Sign up on first visit for new member offers.
Penn mychoice players: Boomtown New Orleans (west bank, 10 miles out) is the local Penn option. Plan a separate Lake Charles trip for L'Auberge if building Penn tiers aggressively.
Video poker specialists: Louisiana bars are a unique opportunity — research full-pay locations in advance using VP pay table resources before arriving.
No MGM in Louisiana: the nearest MGM Rewards properties are Beau Rivage and Gold Strike in Mississippi, approximately 1.5 hours east.
Extended Gulf Coast route: New Orleans + Biloxi, MS covers Caesars and MGM properties in a single trip — a common AP circuit for Southern players.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What casinos are in New Orleans?

Caesars New Orleans (formerly Harrahs New Orleans) is the only land-based casino within New Orleans city limits, with 1,400+ machines in the downtown CBD near the French Quarter. Boomtown Casino New Orleans is located in Harvey, Louisiana on the west bank of the Mississippi River — about 10 miles from the French Quarter — with 1,300+ machines on the Penn mychoice loyalty program. Louisiana also has numerous riverboat and land-based casinos outside the city, plus video poker machines in licensed bars and restaurants statewide.

Is Caesars New Orleans good for advantage play?

Yes — Caesars New Orleans is the only Caesars Rewards property in the New Orleans market, making it the anchor property for AP players building Caesars tier credits. With 1,400+ machines in a downtown hotel-casino, it offers strong coin-in volume for national tier building. Caesars Rewards is one of the largest national casino loyalty programs, covering properties in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and 50+ regional markets. New Orleans AP players using the Caesars program should prioritize Caesars New Orleans for tier maintenance and offers.

What are Louisiana video poker bars?

Louisiana law permits licensed bars, restaurants, and truck stops to operate up to three video poker machines each. These standalone video poker machines are found statewide and some locations offer full-pay pay tables that are favorable to skilled players. Louisiana video poker bars are a unique feature of the state gaming landscape — AP players who specialize in video poker strategy often route through Louisiana specifically to find full-pay machines outside of traditional casinos. Pay tables vary by location, so scouting is required.

What Penn mychoice options are near New Orleans?

Boomtown Casino New Orleans in Harvey, Louisiana (10 miles from the French Quarter) is the closest Penn mychoice property to New Orleans, with 1,300+ machines. L'Auberge Lake Charles (Lake Charles, Louisiana, approximately 3 hours west) is a full Penn mychoice resort property with 1,600+ machines. Both properties earn on the same Penn mychoice card used at Hollywood Casinos, Ameristar, and 40+ other Penn properties nationally. New Orleans area AP players building Penn mychoice tiers typically combine Boomtown New Orleans with a separate Lake Charles trip.

What national casino loyalty programs are available in Louisiana?

Caesars Rewards is available at Caesars New Orleans (formerly Harrahs), which is the lone Caesars property in the New Orleans market. Penn mychoice covers Boomtown Casino New Orleans and L'Auberge Lake Charles. Bally's Lake Charles (formerly Isle of Capri) is part of the Bally's brand loyalty program. There are no MGM Rewards properties in Louisiana; the closest MGM properties for national tier building are in Mississippi (Beau Rivage, Gold Strike) or Las Vegas.

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