Associated Press - December 10, 2008 2:05 PM ET
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada casinos had a record slump of 22.3% in winnings during October as gamblers worried about a worsening economy backed off from betting.
The state Gaming Control Board says the resorts won $905 million in October, resulting in the largest percentage decline since the board began producing monthly reports in the early 1980s. It was the 10th straight month of slumps compared with the same period a year earlier.
Big factors contributing to the drop-off in gambling during October included concerns over the declining stock market, increasing unemployment rates and no major special events to draw more tourists into the state.
Taxes based on the casino wins, a major revenue source for the state, amounted to $56.4 million. That's nearly 22% below the collections at the same point a year ago.
Major highlights:
STATEWIDE: $905 million, down 22.3%.
LAS VEGAS STRIP: $475 million, down 25.8%.
DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: $48.4 million, down 19.6%.
LAUGHLIN: $45.7 million, down 14.9%.
BOULDER STRIP: $62.9 million, down 28.2%.
RENO: $57.5 million, down 7.4%.
SPARKS: $12.9 million, down 10%.
STATELINE: $20.9 million, down 23.8%.
ELKO COUNTY: $24.2 million, down 6.5%.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada casinos had a record slump of 22.3% in winnings during October as gamblers worried about a worsening economy backed off from betting.
The state Gaming Control Board says the resorts won $905 million in October, resulting in the largest percentage decline since the board began producing monthly reports in the early 1980s. It was the 10th straight month of slumps compared with the same period a year earlier.
Big factors contributing to the drop-off in gambling during October included concerns over the declining stock market, increasing unemployment rates and no major special events to draw more tourists into the state.
Taxes based on the casino wins, a major revenue source for the state, amounted to $56.4 million. That's nearly 22% below the collections at the same point a year ago.
Major highlights:
STATEWIDE: $905 million, down 22.3%.
LAS VEGAS STRIP: $475 million, down 25.8%.
DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: $48.4 million, down 19.6%.
LAUGHLIN: $45.7 million, down 14.9%.
BOULDER STRIP: $62.9 million, down 28.2%.
RENO: $57.5 million, down 7.4%.
SPARKS: $12.9 million, down 10%.
STATELINE: $20.9 million, down 23.8%.
ELKO COUNTY: $24.2 million, down 6.5%.
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