Betfred Sportsbook , Paragon Casino Resort • Marksville , Louisiana
Caesars Entertainment opened two sportsbooks at Harrah ’ s New Orleans and the Horseshoe in Bossier City , Louisiana in late October with much fanfare , and deservedly so . The legalization of sports betting in the state was an arduous and difficult process .
But Caesars wasn ’ t the first sportsbook to open in Louisiana . That honor went to the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville when the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe partnered with Betfred Sports and R2Architects + R2Interiors to create the sportsbook at The Draft Room inside the casino almost a full month before any other sportsbook in the state opened .
R2 Architects was retained to provide architectural , interior design , and planning services for this project .
“ We were the first tribe in Louisiana to put a casino up ,” says Paragon Board Member James Craig III . “ Now we ’ re the first tribe in Louisiana and also across the board to have sports betting here in Louisiana . Everyone else is enjoying it everywhere else in Vegas and other states , but here in Louisiana , now we can enjoy it .”
The sportsbook features over 120 big-screen TVs and 200 seats including recliners , VIP sections , and slot machines . Betfred Sports will operate a traditional sportsbook in the Draft Room — Paragon ' s newest amenity — comprised of traditional theater seating , a custom video wall , betting counters and kiosks . The Draft Room ’ s restaurant and bar offers fan favorite foods , cold draft beers , and multiple seating options sure to please any sports fan . Online sports betting will be available as well at a later date . “ All I want to ask you is who we ’ re betting on ,” laughed Louisiana Lt .
Governor Billy Nungesser .
Nungesser placed the next wager . He and other elected officials are looking forward to the tax revenue this billion-dollar industry can generate for state education .
“ I think it ’ s the shot in the arm , no pun intended , that we need coming out of Covid ,” says Nungesser . “ We ’ ve been thinking outside of the box of things that we can do to draw attention to Louisiana because we ’ re competing against every state for those tourism dollars .”
“ Our partnership with Betfred Sports marks a new chapter for Paragon , which has always been a source of pride for Marksville and the people of Louisiana ,” Paragon General Manager Marshall Sampson , Sr ., said . “ With this new partnership , I hope visitors from across the region will have the chance to experience it for themselves . Together , we are offering a first-class sports betting platform and venue that will make Paragon Casino Resort the place to bet and watch games in Louisiana .”
The Paragon sportsbook is the fourth U . S . sportsbook for the British-based Betfred .
“ Louisiana is an exciting opportunity for Betfred Sports to continue its expansion in the U . S . after successful launches in Iowa , Colorado and Pennsylvania ,” said Mark Stebbings , Betfred Group chief operating officer . “ We look forward to utilizing our 50 years of bookmaking experience with our fantastic partner , Paragon Casino Resort , to bring the best sports betting experience to bettors in the state .”
The sportsbook is powered by Scientific Games ’ OpenBet platform featuring custom betting counters and self-service kiosks .
LOCATION : Paragon Casino Resort , Marksville , Louisiana OWNER : Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana DESIGNER : R2Architects + R2Interiors OPERATOR : Betfred Sports
8 CASINO STYLE 2021