Caesars unveils $435 million transformation of New Orleans casino

Caesars Entertainment celebrated Tuesday the completion of its $435 million transformation of Harrah’s to Caesars New Orleans. Casino team members and Mayor Latoya Cantrell joined company officials for the celebration, commemorating the historic occasion.

The event began outside of the casino on Canal St. with a ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, Caesars Entertainment President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad, where they, alongside Caesar, joined a New Orleans second-line band in a procession into the casino. 

“We’re incredibly proud to officially introduce Caesars to New Orleans,” said Anthony Carano, President & COO of Caesars Entertainment. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it.”

Caesars New Orleans' Octavia center bar

The ceremony kicked off with a Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court and a firework show to officially welcome Caesars to New Orleans. Following the ceremony, the second-line band led revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where partygoers enjoyed a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans” featuring bites from all six restaurants at the property.

Elemental entertainers performed throughout the room, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps and showgirls, treating guests to a Big Easy experience.

“This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars,” said Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans.

“Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.”

Caesars New Orleans is the area's only land-based casino. It boasts nearly 800 hotel rooms between its two hotel towers – the new Caesars Tower and the original hotel tower on Poydras Street.

The destination provides more than 150,000 square feet of upgraded gaming and dining space featuring more than 1,300 slot machines, 120 table games, a 20-table World Series of Poker Room, three outdoor gaming courtyards and a 5,700-square-foot state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook.

Additionally, the property offers culinary experiences including Louisiana’s first Nobu, Emeril’s Brasserie by local favorite Emeril Lagasse, a celebrity-driven food hall featuring options by Bobby Flay, Buddy Valastro and Nina Compton, and the new center bar dubbed Octavia.