Consider it the appetizer before the main course. The boudin balls before the gumbo.
The Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge– you know, the one right across from Capitol Lake at 1717 River Road. The news is that they now have a temporary sportsbook enclave on the third floor in a partnership with DraftKings.
This comes just in time to place your bets on the Final Four. Maybe even in time for the LSU Tigers to reach the College World Series.
Only temporary
The current temporary spot has 20 self–service kiosks and three in–person portals, but it’s just that: Temporary.
The casino has already broken ground on a major expansion set to open in 2023. Said expansion includes a modern DraftKings sportsbook on-site.
“The temporary DraftKings Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge will provide customers with new, exciting ways to enjoy this historic property, and we’re thrilled our expanded DraftKings partnership will offer guests their premier sports betting technology,” said Terry Downey, president and CEO of CQ Holding Company, Inc said in a press release.
“We believe this temporary DraftKings Sportsbook space will lay the foundation for one of the most engaging sports viewing environments, which will be further elevated upon the opening of the proposed permanent DraftKings Sportsbook next year.”
CQ Holding Company is the owner of the Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge. They also partner with the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
Did someone say expansion?
The Hollywood Casino is the first of Baton Rouge’s famous riverboat casinos coming off the water when the expansion finishes.
Dignitaries and casino officials broke ground on the massive project last summer, adding 38,000 square feet of retail space. This gives Hollywood Casino a 100,000 square foot area, plus a modern sportsbook/sports bar with seating for 250.
Former LSU Tiger and NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is reportedly going to open up a “Big Chicken” restaurant as part of the expansion.
Baton Rouge has three riverboat casinos docked on the east side of the Mississippi River. These are, namely, The Belle of Baton Rouge, L’Auberge Casino, and the Hollywood Casino.
DraftKings seeks the crown in Baton Rouge
DraftKings is one of the major online and retail sportsbooks with partners throughout the country.
It has an official daily fantasy and sports betting partnership with the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA Tour and the UFC. Launching from Boston in 2012, the company is the only U.S.-based integrated sports betting operator.
Already in 18 states, DraftKings is intent on making Louisiana a booming market.
“We’re excited to expand our DraftKings footprint in Louisiana, showcasing our commitment to the region with the opening of our second retail sportsbook space,” said Michael Kibort, senior director of retail sportsbooks at DraftKings.
“Through our collaboration with CQ Holding Company, Inc. and Hollywood Casino, we look forward to revolutionizing the sports betting experience while providing sports fans with an outstanding entertainment facility in Baton Rouge.”
DraftKings already has one physical location in Louisiana with the sportsbook at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles.
