At Kenner’s Treasure Chest Casino, Elvira Henry took her usual seat at a Five Times Pay slot machine, ready to try her luck once more. The 87-year-old makes her weekly journey from Gentilly to the casino boat on Lake Pontchartrain, finding solace and safety in the familiar surroundings.
“It’s an outlet, you know. A safe outlet. You feel safe in here,” Henry remarked on Thursday, just before hitting a win. “Oh, look at that. You’re good luck.”
Henry has been a loyal visitor since the Treasure Chest opened nearly three decades ago, but her recent visit marked the end of an era. On Saturday, just before midnight, the final bet was placed on the ornate, steamboat-style riverboat. Boyd Gaming Corp., the Nevada-based owner, celebrated with a banner-drop and second line.
This Thursday, the Treasure Chest embarks on a new journey with the grand opening of its land-based casino, located just across the levee. The new facility boasts a 48,000-square-foot gambling hall, twice the size of its predecessor, along with 8,000 square feet of convention space and four new restaurants. The construction cost $100 million.
This transition follows a 2018 Louisiana Legislature law allowing riverboat casinos to move onshore. Both Boyd Gaming and Kenner city officials anticipate the new Treasure Chest will attract even larger crowds.
A Casino in Transition
In its final days on water, the Treasure Chest was already undergoing changes. Half of its gaming space was closed off, and Henry’s favorite slot machine, the Triple Double Wild Cherry, was missing.
“Usually, that’s the only machine that I play,” she said. “It’s over there, waiting for me.”
Longtime customers have mixed feelings about the move. Kevin Drake, a 68-year-old Kenner resident who visits three times a week, said, “A casino is a casino, whether you’re on a boat or on land. It don’t make a difference. I’ll still be playing.”
Henry, who frequents various casinos throughout the week, echoed this sentiment, “They’re all the same. They’ll take your money wherever you go.”
Suellen Buckley, 74, looks forward to the new casino. “My money helped build that casino, you know,” she said. For many, the charm of the Treasure Chest lies not in its riverboat aesthetic but in its staff.
The People Behind the Casino
Staff members like Lisa Gares, the player development manager, and Charlotte Durand, a longtime waitress, are beloved by regulars. Gares, known as the “guest services guru,” has been with the Treasure Chest since its opening in 1994. She’s known for her personal touch, remembering guests’ favorite machines and updating them on jackpots.
“We’re like a family,” she said. “We know your name. Most casinos don’t.”
Durand, who started at the Treasure Chest at 22 and is now 52, knows many customers’ drink orders by heart. “They don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” she joked. “We remember everybody.”
A New Look for the Treasure Chest
The new land-based casino will differ significantly from the riverboat, featuring one floor instead of three, which will be more accessible for elderly patrons. Despite its modern appearance resembling a big-box store, it promises improved amenities, including higher ceilings, better ventilation, and expanded dining options.
“There’s nowhere in Kenner to get a really good steak,” Gares noted. “Well, now you have somewhere.”
Economic Impact
The Treasure Chest is a vital revenue source for Kenner and its police department, contributing over $3 million through passenger fees and net gaming revenues in the last fiscal year. Mayor Michael Glaser expects the new casino to boost economic development and increase sales tax revenue.
The riverboat, which once had to set sail by law, will be sold along with its attached barge. For employees like Durand, the move feels like starting a new job. “I just know this boat like the back of my hand,” she said.
As the Treasure Chest transitions to its new home, patrons and staff alike look forward to the next chapter of this Kenner institution.
