Strip casino win down 2.2 percent in April; state tax figure up

CARSON CITY – Winnings at Las Vegas Strip casinos fell by 2.2 percent in April compared to a year earlier, the fifth drop in the past six months.

Except for craps, all of the major games, including slot machines, registered a decline.

In Clark County, the only areas to show a gain were the Boulder Strip, Mesquite and the balance of the county outside of major gaming areas.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported today that gaming win statewide was off 0.5 percent, also the fifth decrease in the past six months. Total gaming win was $806 million, or $4.7 million lower than in the same month in 2010.

But the state collected $42.6 million more in taxes on the reported statewide gaming win than the same month in 2010, which is up 7.25 percent.

On the Strip, the 43 casinos reported gaming win, calculated before expenses and taxes, of $427.5 million in April. The Strip accounts for more than 50 percent of the state total.

Craps showed a gain of 23.8 percent, but declines were registered in blackjack, off 12.4 percent; roulette, down 9.78 percent; baccarat, off 3.3 percent and at slot machines, where revenue dropped by 4.2 percent.

Michael Lawton, senior research analyst for the Gaming Control Board, said one encouraging sign was that the amount played on slot machines increased for the second consecutive month. That’s the first time since August 2007 there have been two straight months of higher play.

Strip casino sports books were a bright spot, up 349.4 percent, with casinos winning big on basketball and baseball bets.

The board reported winnings at downtown Las Vegas casinos fell 5.6 percent; Laughlin was off 4.1 percent and North Las Vegas declined 7.9 percent.

The board said casino win rose on the Boulder Strip by 2.5 percent; in Mesquite by 1.8 percent and in the balance of Clark County by 8 percent.

Winnings at Washoe County casinos fell by 0.6 percent, South Lake Tahoe had a 14.9 percent increase, Elko County was up 4.8 percent and Carson Valley casinos were down 3.3 percent.

Gaming

Share