Nevada casinos win $814.4 million in August

Brendan Riley

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2000 | 2:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Las Vegas resorts and major Tahoe casinos had a good August, but Reno clubs slumped despite crowds attracted by "Hot August Nights" and the Reno-Tahoe Open.

The Gaming Control Board reported Tuesday that casinos statewide won $814.4 million during August - up 6.7 percent from the same month a year earlier. The money represents the amount kept by clubs after gamblers bet $11.7 billion.

But board spokesman Frank Streshley said August 2000 had one less weekend day than August 1999, and that hurt the Reno area where casinos won $74.9 million for a decrease of 0.8 percent.

That was the first decrease after 15 positive months in a row, he added.

Casinos in neighboring Sparks won $14.4 million for a 2.1 percent gain in August. And clubs on Tahoe's south shore won $44 million for a big 28.8 percent gain.

Streshley said the win for the Stateline clubs stemmed mainly from table game action and was the highest since December 1994, when the resorts won $44.5 million.

In southern Nevada, resorts on the Las Vegas Strip won $402.6 million for a 6.7 percent gain. Downtown casinos won $53.5 million, up 1.2 percent.

The casino "win" is what's left in casino coffers after payouts to gamblers are subtracted from money that's bet on tables, in slots and on sports events. It's a gross figure, with no operating costs or other expenses deducted. And it's casino revenue only - separate from hotel, restaurant or bar revenues generated by casinos.

Statewide, the August win included $280.4 million from house-banked table games, up 6.8 percent. A breakdown shows craps was up 4.6 percent, roulette was up 41.9 percent and blackjack was up 11.8 percent. But baccarat was down 33.5 percent.

The statewide win on slots totaled $524.8 million, up 6.9 percent. A breakdown shows Megabucks was up 18 percent, quarter slots were down 3.2 percent, dollar slots were up 1.8 percent, and nickel slots were up 28.2 percent.

State taxes collected based on the August win totaled $46 million. That's up 9 percent compared with taxes collected for the same period a year earlier.