Casinos report double digit increases again

Nevada casinos reported their third straight month of double-digit increases in April as the economy continued to strengthen.

"It wasn't driven by special events, just a resurgence in the gaming and travel industry statewide," said Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley. "There were healthy increases in volume across the board."

With the recovery of the gaming industry, Streshley said gaming revenue projections are now 6.9 percent above forecasts used to build the state budget.

He said the $826.9 million total win was a record for April and 11 percent more than the same month a year ago. But Streshley pointed out that April 2003 was down 6.9 percent, which was attributed to a downturn in travel because of the Iraq war.

He said game and table winnings were especially strong - 15 percent overall and up 73 percent for high stakes baccarat. But blackjack was also up 27 percent and poker - the new darling of table games - up more than 29 percent.

Carson Valley casinos, which include those in the capital city as well as valley portions of Douglas County, recorded their 12th straight monthly increase - 16.4 percent to $8.9 million.

North Shore casinos reported a 40.5 percent increase for the month. Not only was business volume up significantly, the Crystal Bay Club has reopened since last year. Total win there was $2.66 million.

South Tahoe casinos also had a good month, with win up 12.12 percent to $24.88 million.

Washoe County reported its third straight month of increases after a long period of declining gaming revenues. Washoe was up 8.14 percent to $84 million. Streshley said the trend is especially good news. In addition to the sagging economy, Washoe has suffered from heavy competition from new American Indian casinos near Sacramento and Auburn.

Business was especially strong on the Las Vegas Strip, where total win rose 14.8 percent to $414.6 million in April.

On Nevada's eastern border, Elko County reported growth of 5.3 percent in gaming win to $18.68 million.

Contact Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.