Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevada gaming revenue off 4.8 percent in June

Updated Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 | 11:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Gaming win by Nevada casinos fell to $792.4 million in June, the lowest win in the last six months, and a major reason was a decline in baccarat play in Las Vegas.

The state Gaming Control Board reported today that the win statewide dropped by 4.8 percent compared to a year ago. The casinos in May won $897.2 million.

Michael Lawton, senior research analyst, said the win on baccarat at Las Vegas Strip casinos fell by 48.9 percent to $52.6 million in June.

He said that in June 2012, players were drawn to Las Vegas by the welterweight championship fight between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley. This June, players were luckier in baccarat, with the Strip casinos reporting a “hold” of 7.6 percent versus the normal 12 to 13 percent.

He said the Strip, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the gaming win statewide, is always down in the summer. There are no big conventions and a drop in vacationers, he said.

The overall win on the Strip fell 10.3 percent to $434.7 million for the month.

For the fiscal year that ended June 30, the statewide gaming win increased a modest 1.8 percent to $10.9 billion. But for the first time in at least the last ten fiscal years, roulette surpassed craps in win — $375.8 million compared to $370 million.

Lawton attributed this to a lot of international players who like roulette.

The fiscal year results show statewide that sports bettors are getting luckier. The win statewide was $155.1 million, a drop of 3.2 percent for the fiscal year. The “hold” by casinos declined from 5.6 percent in fiscal 2011 to 5.1 percent in 2012 and 4.3 percent this last fiscal year.

The “hold” is the amount of money the casinos keep from the bets.

While the gaming win on the Strip fell, other markets in Clark County showed increases. Downtown Las Vegas casinos posted a 9.3 percent increase; North Las Vegas was up 16 percent; Laughlin recorded a 6.3 percent gain; and the Boulder Strip jumped 10.3 percent.

Win in Mesquite fell 8.2 percent, the sixth straight month of a decline. Casios in the balance of Clark County reported a 3.5 percent increase.

The board reported that gaming win in Washoe County fell by 2.3 percent, ending three months of gains. South Lake Tahoe recorded a 24.3 percent drop; Elko County was off 4 percent; and clubs in the Carson Valley area were up 2 percent.

On the Strip, the win on blackjack games rose 2.4 percent; craps was down 11.1 percent; roulette was off 26.8 percent; slots inched up 3.2 percent; and sports betting gained 16.7 percent.

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