Gaming Industry Veteran to Manage Development of World-Class Gaming and Entertainment Destination in Bossier City Projected to Generate Millions in Annual Economic Impact and Hundreds of Permanent Jobs for Local and Regional Residents
Project Will Feature First Land-Based Casino in Shreveport-Bossier Market
BOSSIER CITY, La., May 22, 2024 — The Cordish Companies today announced the appointment of gaming industry veteran JOHN J. CHASZAR as EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER of the new LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL LOUISIANA, a $270+ million world-class gaming, dining, hotel, and entertainment destination set to open in Bossier City in the first quarter of 2025. In his new role, Mr. Chaszar will manage the development, grand opening, and day-to-day operations of the first land-based casino property in the Shreveport–Bossier market.
With over three decades of gaming and resort operations experience, Mr. Chaszar has held leadership positions with several notable entertainment and hotel companies across the country in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, and South Carolina.
He most recently served as senior vice president and general manager of Tropicana Casino in Evansville, Indiana, which had also transitioned from a floating to a land-based casino under his leadership. Mr. Chaszar’s experience with that transformation will be invaluable as the new land-based gaming facility takes shape at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.
During his career, he spent more than a decade with Penn Entertainment as vice president and general manager at several of its properties including Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Hollywood Casino Resort in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Mr. Chaszar also spent over 13 years with Quorum Hotels & Resorts in leadership positions across eight different locations.
“As The Cordish Companies continues to expand, we are focused on building a team that can deliver the high standards of quality and excellence that have become synonymous with the Live! brand nationwide,” said Rob Norton, President of Cordish Gaming Group, the gaming division of The Cordish Companies. “We are confident that under John’s leadership, the new Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will become a premier destination offering first-class hospitality and entertainment, exceptional customer service, and generating millions of dollars in economic benefits for the Bossier City community for years to come.”
When opened, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will offer a first-class gaming and entertainment experience featuring more than 47,000-square-feet of gaming space, including 1,000+ slots and electronic table games and 40+ live action table games; a sportsbook; an upscale 550-room hotel, resort pool and fitness center; a 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose Event Center for top name entertainment, meeting, conventions, and social gatherings; 30,000-square-feet of best-in-class dining entertainment venues including multiple new food and beverage outlets featuring nationally acclaimed concepts Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar; and more.
The project is expected to generate $35 million in gaming tax revenues for the City of Bossier and more than $168 million in gaming tax revenues for the State of Louisiana within the first five years of operation. Annually it will generate $34 million in salaries, wages and tips, create approximately 750 new construction jobs and approximately 750 permanent gaming and hospitality jobs for local and regional residents.
The development is currently under construction on the site of the former Diamond Jacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City. Located along the scenic Red River and directly across from Shreveport, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana has convenient access to U.S. Highway 71 and Interstate 20 and is approximately 20 miles from the Texas border and 40 miles from the Arkansas border.
For information about Live! Casino, visit www.LiveCasinoLA.com.
SOURCE Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana