Casinos, Gaming and Horse Racing Along the Red River

Shreveport and Bossier City's waterfront casinos give a whole new meaning to "Rollin' on the River."

An image of the Margaritaville Resort Casino Bossier City pool.
Margaritaville Resort Casino Bossier City

Louisiana rivers have long been associated with gambling, and modern-day casino resorts along Louisiana's northern rivers in Shreveport and Bossier City continue to entertain thrill-seekers today. With plenty of heart-racing action – plus an array of luxurious amenities to sooth your soul – Louisiana’s northern gaming destinations deal out plenty of fun. 

Casinos in Shreveport

Bally's Shreveport – Occupying a prominent spot along the riverbank in Shreveport, Bally's boasts the area’s biggest poker room, 50 gaming tables and 1,000 slot machines. The fun continues with dancing, drinks and live entertainment in two lounges, pampering treatments at La Spa, and restaurants offering everything from buffets and burgers to noodles, fresh seafood and prime beef. 

Sam's Town Hotel & Casino Shreveport – Just steps away, Bally's gets a bit of neighborly competition from Sam’s Town, offering luxury rooms and suites, a full-service spa, ever-changing entertainment and dining options from quick and casual to elegant and extravagant. You can also roll, pull, spin and win on three floors of gaming action.

Both casinos are right on the edge of downtown Shreveport, providing easy access to some of the area’s best dining, shopping and tourist attractions at RiverView Park and the Red River District.

Casinos in Bossier City

Across the Red River in Bossier City, four riverfront casinos welcome guests who want a piece of the gaming action. All are near the gorgeous Louisiana Boardwalk Promenade, a half-mile stretch of shopping, dining and entertainment.

Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino – The swank Horseshoe exudes luxury with a shiny 24-story tower that pierces the skyline and welcomes guests into 606 luxury suites with free valet parking. The gaming floor features a 14-table poker room, 130 video poker machines, high-limit table games and the “loosest” slots around. A variety of restaurants and lounges – plus a revolving concert lineup of major national acts – round out the amenities.

Boomtown Casino & Hotel – Not to be outdone, Boomtown is keeping pace with three floors of gaming and a hotel featuring modern rooms and spacious suites. Dining options range from a casual café and a cantina to a full buffet and a Sunday-best steakhouse, and rotating events and entertainment keep folks coming back.

Margaritaville Resort Casino – Step inside and be whisked away to a tropical escape that leaves all your worries behind. Sip a frosty drink while enjoying more than 1,200 slot machines and 50 table games in a 395-room hotel climbing 18 floors. Chill out in the Banyan Tree Coffee Bar or Busted Coconut lounge, dine with riverfront views and take in a show.  

Racing & Other Attractions

Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack – If it’s the ponies you prefer, head for the eastern edge of Bossier City to one of the nation’s highest-quality thoroughbred courses. Thoroughbreds run May - September and quarter horses race January - March, but casino gaming continues all year long in a 150,000-square-foot gaming area with plenty of dining and entertainment options to boot. Learn more about Louisiana's horse racing tracks.

To balance out all these thrills, the Shreveport-Bossier area has a full complement of “quieter” attractions, too. Be sure to stop and smell the, well, you know, at the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses. Strolling the American Rose Center’s 118 acres provides a peaceful sense of wonder. 

The Shreveport-Bossier area has everything the avid betting man or woman looks for, along with plenty of entertainment options once you’ve folded your cards. It’s not just a gambler’s getaway, but the perfect place for anyone who might just be along for the ride. Learn about top activities in Shreveport and Bossier City.