Reno casinos won less from gamblers in August than they did a year earlier, but Sparks and Lake Tahoe had a strong month, the Gaming Control Board reported Thursday.
Reno’s gambling win — the amount lost by bettors — decreased 2.93 percent to $72.2 million.
Despite increases in Sparks and North Lake Tahoe, Reno’s decrease caused Washoe County’s win to drop for the ninth time in 12 months, according to the Control Board.
Gambling experts predict more declines this winter as snow keeps California gamblers betting at tribal casinos, but some mentioned other concerns.
“Reno overall is down, but I believe they are blowing Indian gaming out of proportion,” said Gerry Dalton, assistant general manager at Rocky’s Sports Pub & Grill downtown.
“The train trench is what I am worried about. If you do bad at Thunder Valley (near Sacramento), you can’t walk next door and play somewhere else.”
Dalton said his casino, which attracts a mix of locals and tourists walking among the Virginia Street properties, is doing better this year than last.
Sparks casinos won more from gamblers in August, thanks mostly to the popularity of the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off, officials said.
The event ended Sept. 1, but drew large Labor Day weekend crowds.
“We were up 17 percent in pounds of ribs sold, which is the best (business) indicator we have,” said Beth Cooney, executive director of marketing at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. “All our other sales were up, too.”
Sparks’ gambling win increased 2.1 percent to $15.3 million. The increase came from table games surging 20 percent ahead of last year, said Frank Streshley, senior research analyst for the Gaming Control Board. Slot win declined in Sparks.
North Lake Tahoe casinos won 4.7 percent less from gamblers, with a similar decline in slot win boosted by table games increases of 24.1 percent, Streshley said.
North Lake casinos have seen drops in 10 of the last 12 months, Streshley said.
Stateline casinos showed the first increase in five months, Streshley said. Slots were up 5.4 percent and table games increased 15.5 percent.
“That is a real strong increase,” Streshley said. “The growth in that market is a little bit of a surprise because they are having to compete with Indian gaming, too.”
Gambling win increased 9.3 percent in Carson City, Minden and Gardnerville.
The rise was driven by an increase in the number of slot machines in the area, said Bill Henderson, sales and marketing director for the Carson Valley Inn.
Five new gambling halls including the Winchester Club and Casino Fandango have opened since last August, adding 388 slots, 11 percent more to the region.
“The Carson Valley Inn did better this August, but we didn’t do 11 percent better,” Henderson said. “We continue to be cautious in our expectations and aggressive in our marketing and idea generation.”
Statewide gambling win decreased 3.1 percent to $813.6 million in August, mostly because Las Vegas Strip casinos won $42 million less on baccarat compared with last August, a 55 percent drop, Streshley said.
Excluding baccarat, statewide win would have been up 2 percent, Streshley said.
“Last year, the players were extremely unlucky,” Streshley said. “August was a complete flip-flop in the luck factor.”
Story
Reno’s gambling win — the amount lost by bettors — decreased 2.93 percent to $72.2 million.
Despite increases in Sparks and North Lake Tahoe, Reno’s decrease caused Washoe County’s win to drop for the ninth time in 12 months, according to the Control Board.
Gambling experts predict more declines this winter as snow keeps California gamblers betting at tribal casinos, but some mentioned other concerns.
“Reno overall is down, but I believe they are blowing Indian gaming out of proportion,” said Gerry Dalton, assistant general manager at Rocky’s Sports Pub & Grill downtown.
“The train trench is what I am worried about. If you do bad at Thunder Valley (near Sacramento), you can’t walk next door and play somewhere else.”
Dalton said his casino, which attracts a mix of locals and tourists walking among the Virginia Street properties, is doing better this year than last.
Sparks casinos won more from gamblers in August, thanks mostly to the popularity of the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off, officials said.
The event ended Sept. 1, but drew large Labor Day weekend crowds.
“We were up 17 percent in pounds of ribs sold, which is the best (business) indicator we have,” said Beth Cooney, executive director of marketing at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. “All our other sales were up, too.”
Sparks’ gambling win increased 2.1 percent to $15.3 million. The increase came from table games surging 20 percent ahead of last year, said Frank Streshley, senior research analyst for the Gaming Control Board. Slot win declined in Sparks.
North Lake Tahoe casinos won 4.7 percent less from gamblers, with a similar decline in slot win boosted by table games increases of 24.1 percent, Streshley said.
North Lake casinos have seen drops in 10 of the last 12 months, Streshley said.
Stateline casinos showed the first increase in five months, Streshley said. Slots were up 5.4 percent and table games increased 15.5 percent.
“That is a real strong increase,” Streshley said. “The growth in that market is a little bit of a surprise because they are having to compete with Indian gaming, too.”
Gambling win increased 9.3 percent in Carson City, Minden and Gardnerville.
The rise was driven by an increase in the number of slot machines in the area, said Bill Henderson, sales and marketing director for the Carson Valley Inn.
Five new gambling halls including the Winchester Club and Casino Fandango have opened since last August, adding 388 slots, 11 percent more to the region.
“The Carson Valley Inn did better this August, but we didn’t do 11 percent better,” Henderson said. “We continue to be cautious in our expectations and aggressive in our marketing and idea generation.”
Statewide gambling win decreased 3.1 percent to $813.6 million in August, mostly because Las Vegas Strip casinos won $42 million less on baccarat compared with last August, a 55 percent drop, Streshley said.
Excluding baccarat, statewide win would have been up 2 percent, Streshley said.
“Last year, the players were extremely unlucky,” Streshley said. “August was a complete flip-flop in the luck factor.”
Story
