Nevada gaming win up from 9/01

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002 | 11:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- For the second straight month, Nevada casinos posted increased winnings, this time reporting September revenues that were up 6 percent from the very weak numbers in September 2001.

The state Gaming Control Board reported today the casinos won $810.1 million, which is $46.4 million more than the same month a year ago when the terrorist attacks hit the United States and hurt the tourism industry.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said, "Despite the encouraging 6 percent increase in gaming win over last September, we are still nearly $17 million short of gaming tax revenue as projected by the Economic Forum for the fiscal year 2003. This follows a $31 million shortfall in fiscal year 2002."

Guinn said the administration was "quite confident" there would be an increase over September 2001 when gaming win fell by 3.1 percent.

The 6 percent is the largest increase since February, when the gross revenue rose 7.8 percent.

Frank Streshley, senior research analyst for the Control Board, said slot win statewide rose 8.6 percent; 21 or blackjack win fell 13.7 percent; craps was up 28.4 percent; roulette rose 1.7 percent and baccarat slipped by 31.7 percent. Sports pool betting jumped 35.5 percent.

Streshley said one reason for the big rise in sports betting was the De La Hoya-Vargas fight at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

Strip casinos also enjoyed their best month since February, posting $391 million in gross win, up 7.5 percent. Gross win is computed before taxes and business expenses.

Slot win rose 13.7 percent on the Strip and game and table revenue rose 1.3 percent, despite a 34.6 percent in gross revenue from baccarat. Streshley said 21 win fell 18.9 percent; craps rose 41.9 percent; roulette was up 1.9 percent and the sports books reported a 51.8 percent on gross revenue.

Downtown Las Vegas casinos reported $54.6 million in win, up .01 percent. Slot win rose .4 percent, but table revenue dropped 1.5 percent.

North Las Vegas clubs posted gross revenue of $16.5 million for a 5.7 percent increase. This reverses four straight months of declines. Slot revenue increased 7.4 percent, but the table game win fell 5.6 percent.

The board said Laughlin casinos registered $44.2 million in win, up 5.8 percent. Slot win rose 6.7 percent and table revenues were up 1.7 percent.

Streshley said Boulder Strip casinos reported $57 million in winnings, up 22.4 percent. That reverses a 16.3 percent decline in August. Slot revenue increased 21.8 percent and game win rose 28.6 percent. Mesquite casinos reported $8.7 million in gross win, down 1.4 percent. Slot win was off .1 percent and game revenue was down 7.7 percent.

Casinos in the balance of Clark County registered $70.9 million in winnings, up 11.6 percent. Slot win jumped 16 percent but game revenue fell by 7.4 percent.