Louisiana Gaming Management Board (LGCB) Chairman Ronnie Johns is retiring after almost 4 a long time of public service.
Louisiana Gaming Management Board Chairman Ronnie Johns (far proper) participates in what was his closing groundbreaking ceremony of a on line casino venture on Dec. 13, 2022. Johns has introduced his retirement from public service efficient June 30. (Picture: Shreveport Occasions)
Johns’ retirement will turn into efficient June 30. Earlier than then, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) is anticipated to call his successor.
Johns was appointed to the highest gaming regulatory place in July 2021 by then-Gov. John Bel Edwards (D). Johns stated he wasn’t requested to step down by Landry, who assumed the governor’s workplace in January, however is just able to spend extra time along with his spouse Michelle.
I’m about to be 75 years previous and Michelle and I’ve issues we wish to do,” Johns advised USA At the moment. “This can be a full-time job.”
Johns’ political profession started in 1978 when he turned a member of the Sulphur Metropolis Council. He was elected to the Louisiana Home of Representatives in 1996 and have become a state Senator in 2012. He served within the legislature’s higher chamber till being nominated to the LGCB.
Johns’ tenure in Baton Rouge wasn’t with out controversy. The day earlier than Edwards appointed him to the LGCB, Johns missed a vote to override the governor’s veto of a invoice that sought to take away a state legislation that required Louisiana gun house owners to bear coaching earlier than acquiring a concealed-carry allow.
Johns stated he had a “bum leg” and couldn’t attend the session. The override was three votes shy within the Senate.
Louisiana lawmakers handed the same permit-less hid carry invoice this 12 months that Landry signed.
First Gaming Growth in Many years
Throughout his tenure operating the company that governs one of many nation’s richest gaming states, Johns oversaw appreciable change.
Johns’ LGCB reign included the primary main growth of gaming in Louisiana for the reason that lottery, on line casino riverboats, and video poker had been licensed within the early Nineties. The growth got here by means of the introduction of retail and on-line sports activities betting.
On line casino sportsbooks started taking bets in October 2021, simply months after Johns was sworn in, and on-line sports activities playing platforms went reside the next January.
Johns’ time on the LGCB additionally included overseeing greater than $1 billion in investments within the state’s riverboats, a few of which have turn into land-based properties.
Louisiana lawmakers handed laws in 2018 permitting riverboats to maneuver inland, as long as the brand new brick-and-mortar casinos stay inside 1,200 ft of their authentic barges. The legislation got here after a number of devasting hurricanes destroyed or tremendously broken the floating gaming vessels.
Johns’ LGCB supervised Caesars Leisure’s greater than $200 million funding to overtake the Isle of Capri Lake Charles riverboat that was broken by Hurricane Laura right into a rebranded brick-and-mortar on line casino. The all-new Horseshoe Lake Charles Lodge & On line casino, a 60,000-square-foot property, opened in late 2022.
Reside! Coming to Bossier Metropolis
Extra lately, Johns helped be sure that the state wouldn’t lose a on line casino after the way forward for the shuttered DiamondJacks riverboat was in peril. The Cordish Corporations, a Baltimore developer of mixed-use developments and on line casino resorts, final fall agreed to tackle the deteriorating property.
Cordish is investing $270 million to develop Reside! On line casino & Lodge Louisiana. The built-in resort property will function a 550-room lodge and a on line casino ground with over 1,000 slot machines, 40 desk video games, and a sportsbook.
Johns stated throughout a groundbreaking ceremony in December that the Cordish venture ensures that the “Shreveport-Bossier gaming market has a vibrant future.”
Hopefully, Johns’ future after virtually 40 years of elected workplace and public service is vibrant, too.
