Greater Baton Rouge Business Report: Bowlers spare casinos from slow year

Louisiana's riverboat casino operators might be grumbling about a slow 2005, but Baton Rouge's downtown boats are thriving thanks to their new best friends: the bowlers.

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Riverboat revenue slipped by a half-percent statewide in March, but gross revenue is up at both Argosy (19%) and Casino Rouge (7.4%). "The bowlers have been great," says Argosy General Manager Frank Quigley.

March year-over revenue soared to $8.5 million at Argosy, located across the street from the American Bowling Congress' six-month competition at the River Center. A big draw: the sponsorship rights to redeem bowlers' prizes. Quigley estimates 300 to 350 bowlers per day visit the riverboat to cash prizes, which average about $50, and many try to boost their winnings at the tables and slots.

Another winner: local government. Quigley estimates the city-parish will earn $400,000 more than normal from boarding fees.

It's no secret bowlers enjoy gambling--explaining why the ABC event is held in Reno, Nev., every third year.

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Casino Rouge, located a mile up River Road, took in March revenue of $10.2 million.

The boost in casino revenue didn't come free: Each casino put up $150,000 several years ago to match the city-parish's $300,000 investment through the Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring the bowling event to Baton Rouge.

"In hindsight it's a beautiful thing, a great investment," Quigley says. "It's a classic example of when a local municipality has a cooperative endeavor with gaming, because everyone has benefited from the bowlers--from hoteliers to rental car places and restaurants."

2,379

Population increase, discounting births and deaths, in the nine-parish Capital Region last year, according to the Census Bureau. Just three parishes--Ascension (1,847), Livingston (2,665) and West Baton Rouge (35)--saw population increases. East Baton Rouge had the biggest decline, shedding 1,313 residents.