May gaming win flat

May gaming win was essentially flat statewide, dropping six-tenths of a percent compared to the same month a year ago.

The total reported gaming win was $844.1 million, $5.1 million less than May 2001.

Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley said the total amount played in Nevada's casinos was down but was offset by an increase in the win percentage.

The Carson Valley area, however, continued to defy statewide trends, reporting its 16th straight month of increases.

Carson area casinos collected $8.5 million in winnings, a 7.53 percent increase over last year.

South Lake Tahoe also had a positive month, reporting a 3.59 percent increase in winnings -- $26.7 million.

And Elko casinos won $19.1 million in May, a 3.25 percent increase.

But the state's primary gaming areas, Las Vegas and Reno, were both off. Clark County casinos reported a half percent lower total winnings for the month and Washoe County casinos were down 4.96 percent. For Washoe, that is the 13th month of declining casino win in the past 14 months.

North Lake Tahoe casinos reported a drop of 15.5 percent to $2.7 million in total winnings. Most of that, however, can be blamed on the Crystal Bay Lodge, which was beginning to shut down operations in May. The casino closed in June.

Statewide, slot winnings were up 2.1 percent for the month -- primarily because of Megabucks play which culminated in a $23 million jackpot during the month. But that was more than offset by the 6 percent drop in game and table winnings.