La. casinos’ haul stays steady in May
Louisiana’s state-licensed casinos took in $204 million from gamblers in May, winnings on par with their haul a year earlier and a nearly 7 percent jump from the previous month.
The figures, compiled by the State Police, were presented Thursday to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Across the state, the mix of riverboat, land-based and race- track casinos brought in $1 million more than the $203 million they collected in 2011 and nearly $13 million more than the $191.5 million taken from gamblers in April.
Gamblers lost the most on average in May at Horseshoe Bossier City, Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge.
The state’s only land-based casino, Harrah’s in downtown New Orleans, won $28.5 million from gamblers, a 7 percent slide from the same month a year earlier, but up from $26.8 million in April.
Meanwhile, gamblers lost $141.5 million at the state’s 12 riverboat casinos last month, up more than 2 percent from May 2011.
By comparison, the riverboats took in a combined $131.5 million in April.
Louisiana’s four racetracks took in a combined $34 million from gamblers, nearly the same as a year earlier and slightly more than the $33.2 million lost by gamblers at the facilities in April.
Among Louisiana’s major casino markets:
BATON ROUGE: Its two casino boats won $16.9 million from gamblers in May, a 6.5 percent increase from $15.8 million a year ago.
SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER: The area’s five riverboats won $55.3 million, while the Louisiana Downs track casino took in $6.4 million.
LAKE CHARLES: The market’s two riverboat casinos brought in $44.2 million, while the area’s Delta Downs track casino won $15.9 million.
NEW ORLEANS: Gamblers lost $20.3 million at the riverboat casinos and $3.5 million at the Fair Grounds racetrack casino.
The State Police figures do not include Indian reservation casinos in Louisiana, which are not required to report their winnings to the public.