Downtown casino revenues will get a boost from beach bash

Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997 | 3:53 a.m.

More than 100,000 visitors will be strolling the street for the Tropical Fling Weekend Thing, estimates Kim Daskas, publicity spokeswoman for Fremont Street Experience.

Many of them trickle into casinos when they're not watching the light show, listening to musical acts or eating at outdoor food booths catered by casino restaurants.

"Our gaming numbers go up by 30 percent, mostly incremental revenue from slots," said Martin Gross, general manager of the Four Queens.

Downtown casinos could use the boost. While Clark County reported winnings of $537.5 million for May, an 11.6 percent increase from May 1996, downtown winnings dropped 3.5 percent to $58.4 million.

Presented by Las Vegas Events, the three days of free entertainment feature live calypso, reggae and Polynesian music on two stages at First and Third streets.

"What drives Las Vegas is entertainment," Gross said. "The Strip is so huge and sprawling. Down here, we don't have roller coasters and volcanoes, so we have to bring people here with these kinds of events. It's the only way we're going to step up revenue in the downtown market."