State gaming win tanks in November

The high rollers who made October a record month for Nevada casinos disappeared in November, causing the largest drop in gaming win in six years.

November's total statewide win at $981.1 million, fell 14 percent compared with the same month in 2006.

The primary culprit was Baccarat, where the win dropped more than 60 percent to just $47.8 million. That is nearly $80 million less than the 2006 win.

It wasn't because of lucky or talented players. Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley said the amount wagered on Baccarat was down 65 percent.

The reasons, however, are fairly obvious. November 2006 offered high rollers a Rolling Stones concert, a Barbara Streisand concert and a Floyd Mayweather fight, all of which drew the big international players to Las Vegas. This year, there were no special events to draw the high-end customer.

But Streshley said operators are hopeful December will bring the high rollers back to Southern Nevada with a new Mayweather fight and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Slot win also was off statewide, falling 7.7 percent to $657 million.

The dip was bad news for state officials. Through October, gaming revenue collections were just $5.3 million below projections used to build the state budget. They are now nearly $24 million behind, further exacerbating the state's budget problems.

While the news was bad statewide, the Carson Valley Area, which includes the valley portions of Douglas County as well as Carson City, had its second positive month this fiscal year, albeit by just one-tenth of a percent to $9.98 million.

July was down 4.4 percent in the area and September and October were both down 6 percent compared to the same months of 2006.

Stateline casinos were down 3 percent to $22 million. Again, the big drop was game and table win, which fell more than 7 percent while slot play was off just 1.6 percent.

North Shore casinos reported a 4.2 percent dip with slots down 9.3 percent. Game and table win was actually up 15 percent at Crystal Bay, those casinos field only a few table games. Total win reported was $2.7 million for the month.

Washoe County was essentially flat, reporting less than a 1 percent drop in win to $80.2 million. While Reno win was up nearly 1 percent, Sparks and the county casinos were down 2.7 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The bright spot in the state continues to be Elko County where win rose 13 percent. The Elko area casino win is up 11.8 percent for the fiscal year to date, fueled by record gold prices that are now near $900 an ounce.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.

Area November Win Change

Statewide $981.1 billion -13.99%

Carson Valley $9.98 million 0.08%

South Shore $22 million -3%

North Shore $2.73 million -4.2%

Washoe County $80.18 million -0.8%

Reno $57.9 million 0.86%

Clark County $828.7 million -16.26%

Las Vegas Strip $519.7 million -19.1%