As compared to August 2020, casinos in New Orleans made lesser money in August 2021 due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida. According to nola.com, casinos in New Orleans made $30.5 million in August 2021 as compared to $32.2 million in August 2020, a decrease of 5.3%. The casinos include Harrah’s land-based resort that is located in downtown New Orleans, Fair Grounds that is a Crescent City horse track and has slot machines as well as three riverboat casinos.

Casinos in South West Louisiana started closing in late August on account of Hurricane Ida that headed towards the state. A number of casinos closed for four days in August 2021 as well as in early September 2021. The majority of the casinos were closed for about ten days after the hurricane made landfall in the state.

Effect of Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida was a powerful hurricane that had winds of 150mph and made landfall state of Louisiana on August 29, 2021, at Port Fourchon, located southwest of New Orleans. Hurricane Ida was the fifth powerful hurricane that ever made landfall in the United States. Homes, businesses along the Gulf Coast were destroyed and power was knocked out as well. Dozens of people were killed in the mid-south. The hurricane then headed to the east coast, entering the states of New York and New Jersey

Earnings prior to Hurricane Ida

Casino earnings were stronger prior to the hurricane with Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in New Orleans, the only land-based casino in New Orleans to earn 16% more as compared to August 2020. Revenue for Harrah’s in August 2021 was $13.7 million as compared to $11.8 million in August 2020. As opposed to Harrah’s, other casinos had a steep decline in revenues.

Amelia Belle, near Morgan City, the riverboat casino saw a 32.1% decline in revenue. Revenue in August 2021 was $1.7 million, a sharp decline from $2.4 million in August 2021.

Both casinos were closed in the early days of September 2021 on account of the hurricane and it is possible that earnings for September 2021 will also experience a decline.