Internet gaming still moribund
Gaming revenues were down in Las Vegas in September, putting an end to Sin City’s six-month winning streak. Gross gaming revenue for the month showed a decrease in table volumes balanced by a moderate uptick in slots volume, according to Union Gaming. Baccarat win on the Strip was down almost 30 percent to $81.3 million. Downtown Las Vegas revenues dropped 4 percent to $43.5 million, and the locals’ market was up 7.1 percent, breaking $189.4 million. Around the state, the gaming win was down 6 percent to just under $902 million.
??Blackjack also didn’t help Strip casinos. Revenues from the game fell 27.3 percent while volume was down 15.5 percent, reported the Casino City Times.
“It’s a little disappointing,” said Michael Lawton, senior research analyst for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. “I think we expected to perform a little better than we did.”
“The baccarat comparison was too much to overcome,” agreed Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Carlo Santarelli.
And though slot revenues were down 3.8 percent in September, the total wager climbed 2.3 percent, for five straight months of increased wagering. “We view slot volume as the most relevant indicator of the Strip’s overall health, as trends within the segment are predominantly driven by retail and casual mass-market players,” said Stifel Nicolaus Capital Markets gaming analyst Steven Wieczynski.
Sports wagering in Nevada was up more than 12 percent to $44.6 million, making September the fourth highest single-month revenue total from sports betting in Nevada history. A total of $450.9 million was wagered on sports in September, up 2.4 percent from 2104 and the highest figure ever recorded for the month.
Internet poker continues to disappoint, generating revenues of $693,000, a decline of 8.9 percent from the same period a year ago. The figure was the lowest single-month total posted since Nevada started releasing online revenue numbers, the Review-Journal reported.
