Baton Rouge is the second largest city in Louisiana and the state’s capital. Gambling in the state is legal, and Baton Rogue is home to two of the 17 casino in Louisiana. One of the casinos operates on a boat while the other offers the more common type, combining a hotel with the casino. The casinos provide live entertainment, shopping and restaurants to occupy the time of the non-gamblers as well.
The Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge is a dock-side casino boat that is permanently stationed on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is located across the street from the Louisiana state capitol and has parking for more than 1,100 vehicles. The casino is open 24 hours a day. Compared to many of the grander casinos both within in and outside of Louisiana, the Hollywood Casino Baton Rogue is relatively small, but still contains more than 1,100 slot machines. Table games provided at the casino include blackjack, roulette, Royal Match 21, Mississippi Stud, craps, three-card poker, four card poker and Field Goal 21. The casino offers on-site dining and the Studio Seven, which hosts live entertainment every weekend, with music from performers such as Kenny Fife and Van Broussard, with some shows free.
The casino and hotel of the area is the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel. The casino features more than 900 slot machines and is located in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge. The casino is open 24 hours a day and offers table games that include, poker, blackjack, craps and roulette spread over 23 tables. According to the casino, they are the only area casino to offer mini baccarat and pai gow games as well. Above the casino is a luxury hotel that features an outdoor pool and whirlpool, free airport shuttle service and a fitness facility.
Evangeline Downs is located about 80 miles west of Baton Rouge in Opelousas, Louisiana, and offers a horse racetrack, a casino and a hotel. The casino has hundreds of slot machines but no table games. The pet-friendly hotel is newly built as of early 2010 and guest can enjoy a free deluxe breakfast, a fitness facility and an indoor heated pool with a hot tub. Four different restaurants are on-site, ranging from cafes to buffets. Live music and other entertainment is also available on select nights in any of the three lounges, including Mojo's and Zydeco's, with performers like Tracy Lawrence appearing.
