But that debate is for another day. The more realistic question for north Texans looking for a casino thrill is whether to game in Louisiana or Oklahoma. Time for a heads-up showdown.

Oklahoma gambling starts the contest with a glaring advantage: proximity. The closest Okie casino is a little over an hour’s drive from DFW, making for a much more realistic day-trip adventure. Plus, you might be able to convince a buddy to pick your broke ass up if things get out of hand.

The casinos up north don’t skimp on the pageantry either – there are enough gaudy interior designs, incessant blinking lights and mildly interesting music headliners to keep pace with what Louisiana has to offer.

But that’s where the OK advantages come to an end; unfortunately, there are a myriad of different rules and restrictions that hamper the experience. State laws restrict what type of games can be played in casinos, prohibiting popular choices such as craps and roulette. It seems like an odd prohibition when games like high-stakes poker and blackjack are still allowed. Anyone have an explanation for that one?

OK Casinos are associated with different American Indian tribes, and each comes with its own rules for what kind of alcohol can be served and where it can be served. Many don’t allow drinks on the gambling floor at all, or force you into cordoned “bar areas”. Some don’t even allow liquor at all, leaving you to buy the infamous Oklahoma 3.2% beer. It makes you thirsty for Lone Star.

This is where Louisiana has the decisive edge. Shreveport and Lake Charles riverboat casinos don’t make such demands from its drones, having the full array of table, card, and slot machine games to choose from. And forget drinking restrictions – many of the big casinos actually give you free “you-call its” to keep playing where you sit. How liberating!… and disturbing.

There’s also a uniqueness to Louisiana casinos that is sorely lacking in Oklahoma. Perhaps it’s the state’s long history with gambling, its freewheeling inhabitants, or delicious Cajun food, but there’s a personality here that you don’t get in OK.

I tend to seek a sense of freedom when it comes to gambling, the foolish romanticism with the “anything goes” spirit. It’s a dangerous feeling if you don’t remember that casinos are in the business of losing you money, but if you keep yourself grounded, it can still make for a great evening win or lose.

Oklahoma casinos try to blend acceptable risk and Bible-belt morals. It’s an awkward pairing. You lose double because you don’t have the freedom to lose like you want to lose*. If you gamble heavily, don’t have the time for a weekend trip, or are just scared of Shreveport (which I won’t hold against you), then head north to Oklahoma and get it over with.

If you’re the type who rarely goes gambling and wants to get more of the “experience”, I recommend you make the trip to Louisiana instead. I’d wager you’ll enjoy the weekend more than an Oklahoma day trip, even if you look just as foolish for pissing away your paycheck.

*What a stupid thought. It makes me want to seek Buddha.