Margaritaville announces major expansion that includes amphitheater, BigShots Golf

BOSSIER CITY, LA (KSLA) - A change in Louisiana law that now allows land-based casino expansion in Louisiana has the owners of Margaritaville Resort & Casino in Bossier City going big with expansion.

"Because our hotel is full every night, we thought we needed to add some hotel rooms. We wanted to add more suites, more large rooms for our very best players," said general manager Barry Regula, who has been overseeing the expansion for more than a year.

"And we also wanted to add other amenities that would help attract other people to this area."

Those other amenities include the planned addition of a 2,500-seat amphitheater, exclusive four-story villas, and a Topgolf equivalent, BigShots Golf.

The latter "involves hitting a target, being able to play different games. And it has technology similar to CBS top tracker that you see when you watch the PGA," Regula explained.

The announcement comes after lawmakers passed a new Louisiana law allowing land-based casino expansion. The law essentially allows casinos to come off the river and expand on land.

"We were sort of constrained of what we could do. But under the new law, it would allow us to add things that we wouldn't have done, like stadium gaming or a poker room," Regula said.

Loyal Margaritaville customers say the expansion is like hitting the jackpot on one of their favorite machines.

"It's really one of the nicest casinos here," Charles Jennings said.

"Oh, it's terrific. We need all the expansion we can get here in Shreveport-Bossier," added Loretta Timpa, another customer.

Regula says due to the company's sale to Penn National Gaming, a start date has not been announced.

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