A three-month drop in gaming revenues ended in September as Nevada casinos took in 6.3 million from gaming, up 1.5 percent from September 2014, the Nevada Gaming Control Board reported October 29.
On the Las Vegas Strip, gaming revenue rose $504.8 million and 2 percent in September, partly boosted by an increase in baccarat play. Baccarat tables generated $100.5 million in revenues in September, up 23.2 percent, while volume grew by 16.5 percent and $751.9 million.
September was only the third month to see an increase in baccarat play so far in 2015, as the Chinese government continues discouraging gambling by Chinese citizens.
While gaming on the Las Vegas Strip is up, gaming at Downtown Las Vegas casinos is up even more.
Through September, downtown casinos on Fremont Street and nearby reported a 6 percent rise in gaming revenues over the nine-month period, which outpaces a 1.5 percent decline over the same period for Strip casinos.
Local officials cited developments along East Fremont Street and other parts on the east side of Downtown Las Vegas, as helping to boost total revenues downtown.
Boyd Gaming reported its three downtown properties, the Fremont, Main Street Station, and the California Club, saw increases of at least 20 percent in gaming revenues through the first three quarters of 2015.
Overall, downtown gaming revenue has risen each month this year and 12 of the past 14 months.
Along with increased gaming revenues at Las Vegas casinos, tourism also is up, with a 6 percent surge in tourism in September, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported.
Some 3.5 million people visited Las Vegas in September, as several large events were held, including a championship boxing match involving Floyd Mayweather Jr., the Life Is Beautiful music festival, and other events that drew many participants.
The increase in Las Vegas tourism was matched by a 6 percent increase in airline travel through McCarran International Airport in September.
Nearly 3.8 million passengers traveled through McCarran in September, which was up from 3.6 million passengers during September 2014, airport officials announced.
For the first nine months of 2015, passenger travel has risen by 5 percent at McCarran, with 33.86 million total passengers, up from 32.26 million a year earlier.
