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Mardi Gras may have helped earn New Orleans the title of one of the best party towns in the US. Yet, the truth is, it has long been an entertainment hotspot before tourists in their twenties started flooding Bourbon Street for Carnival season activities. New Orleans established itself as a place to have a good time during the first half of the 19th century when it became the third-largest city in the US, and its port welcomed merchants from Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Thus, this city grew into a stew of West African and Caribbean influences mixed in with European traditions that created a unique atmosphere not found elsewhere. Naturally, no party destination is complete without some gambling fun. Casinos in New Orleans-
Gambling in Louisiana has a rich history, with the government lottery running since 1753, twenty-six years after Congress ratified the US Constitution. By the time the 19th century rolled around, the birthplace of jazz was dominating the North American casino landscape, boasting more gaming establishments than any other region. Casino-style betting flourished in Crescent City until 1866 when the government outlawed it. However, in 1993, riverboat casinos again became a thing, and commercial land-based venues followed. Moreover, the Indian Regulatory Act paved the way for six tribal casinos to open in Louisiana, run by four native tribes. At this time, New Orleans is the city with the most casinos in the Bayou State, and below, we review what these four spots offer.
Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel & Casinos in New Orleans
Located near the foot of Canal Street, a walking distance from the Mississippi River, Harrah’s New Orleans spot is the state’s premier gambling locale. It opened its doors in late 1999, boasting a French Quarter theme and a twenty-seven-story hotel tower with 450 rooms. Caesars Entertainment operates this robust establishment, which has a 115,000 square feet gaming floor. There, gamblers can find fifteen hundred slot machines and over one hundred dealer tables. Naturally, at the latter, patrons can enjoy baccarat, blackjack, and a game of roulette. The floor also has a dedicated poker room with twenty tables that follows WSOP standards. According to most city guides, Online Cricket Betting ID is home to some of the best dining in New Orleans, with the food options here ranging from upscale spots like Ruth’s Chris Steak House to quick bite eateries like Cafes on Canal.
Fair Grounds Race Course
Found at 1751 Gentilly Boulevard, the Fair Grounds has been operating since 1872 and is the country’s third-oldest racetrack, the second oldest that is still active. Kentucky’s Churchill Downs owns it, and it often ranks among the top fifteen best ones in the US. The track here is a seven-furlong turf oval with no chutes. Horse racing aside, this property also houses casino-like games, primarily slots (over six hundred), with some video poker machines thrown in the mix. On-premises parking is free, and the gambling Cricket ID floor here is open from 9 AM to Midnight every day, except Sundays when it opens an hour later. There are only two places to eat on the grounds, not including the concession stand. These are the Clubhouse and Gentilly Grill, which at the time of writing is unavailable.
Carnival Club Casino
Located in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood, on 2401 Elysian Fields Ave, the Carnival Club Casino is a modest gaming site that dominantly caters to locals. For more manageable navigation, tourists can find it about 1.8 miles from French Quarter and 2.6 miles from the Superdome. Its casino-like area spreads across 2,500 square feet and features video poker machines and fifty multi-denomination reel-spinners. The Carnival Club Casino also has pool tables and dartboards as tools to diversify the level of social fun available in its full-service tavern area. As mentioned, this place also doubles as a sports bar, so it is an excellent spot to enjoy a wide range of adult beverages and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Overnight parking is available close by, as many of the Carnival Club’s visitors are out-of-town truck drivers.
Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans
Now, Harvey is not exactly New Orleans. Nevertheless, since it is only a ten-minute drive away from its city center, we thought it was okay to include the Boomtown Casino located on 4132 Peters Road in this census-designated place in Jefferson Parish. It is just 15 minutes from New Orleans’ French Quarter. Keep in mind that this is a riverboat whose gaming floor stretches 30,000 square feet and offers over one thousand slot machines and twenty-nine table games. There is also a Boomtown poker room. It hosts Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha cash games and tournaments from Wednesday to Saturday. The lodging here consists of 150 rooms on five floors. On-site dining picks here include the Sportsbook, Pier 4, Bayou Market Express, and Club 38.
About the Author
Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by OUSC. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.
