Nov. gaming win up 6.3 percent

John Wilen

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999 | 11:23 a.m.

Nevada gaming revenues continued to grow in November 1998, but did not match the double-digit increase of October.

That's partly because of a boxing match in November 1997.

Figures issued today by the Gaming Control Board show statewide gaming win jumped 6.3 percent in November, the first full month of operations for the Bellagio hotel-casino. But that increase is just over half the 11 percent increase in gaming win from October 1997 to October 1998.

The reason for this is simple, said Russell Guindon, senior research analyst at the board: November 1997 statewide gaming revenues jumped 8.9 percent over November 1996, due primarily to the Evander Hollyfield-Michael Moorer fight at the Thomas & Mack Center. Compared to such a strong month, even a great month will look a little slow, said Guindon.

"A year ago, they were up 15.2 percent (on the Strip)," said Guindon. "That's a pretty strong base to be growing off of."

Statewide gaming win rose $39 million in November to $661.4 million, due mostly to increases in slot win, said Guindon. Slot machine win increased 9.8 percent, or $37.9 million, to $425.8 million. Table game win, on the other hand, increased only .05 percent, or $1.1 million, to $235.7 million.

On the Strip, win increased 4.8 percent in November, to $318.3 million, again driven mainly by slot machines. Strip slot win was up 11.4 percent, or $16.7 million, to $163 million, while table game win fell 1.3 percent, or $2 million, to $155 million.

Statewide, all markets posted increases in win except for South Lake Tahoe, where win declined 7.3 percent. The strongest growth was reported by North Las Vegas, where win increased 25.5 percent.

November table game win was hurt by declines in baccarat win of 7.8 percent statewide and 7.9 percent on the Strip, said Guindon. But another big factor was a whopping 95.2 percent decrease in sports book win on the Strip. Statewide, sports book win fell 26.8 percent.

Surprisingly, Guindon said, the NBA basketball lockout had little to do with this decline. Basketball win was up 93.2 percent statewide, to $1.9 million.

Football win was down 60 percent statewide, he said.