Carson City gaming numbers up

Carson City and Minden-Gardnerville casinos did very well in October despite a weak month for gaming numbers statewide.

Total win in the Carson Valley reporting area - which includes not only Carson City casinos but the valley establishments in Douglas County - increased 9.62 percent to just more than $9 million.

The increase follows a 2.3 percent win in September and a 9.3 percent jump reported in August. But Carson turned in a 12.3 percent year-over-year increase in June.

Among the factors helping Carson City is the business attracted by Casino Fandango on South Carson Street and expansions by some of the casinos along Highway 50 - including Slot World - during the past year.

Statewide, gaming revenues were up only 1.52 percent in October. Gaming numbers have lagged through the first four months of this fiscal year - rising only 1.2 percent more than last year. Well below the 3.5 percent growth projected by the Economic Forum for this fiscal year.

For October, the total win reported was $819.5 million.

The increase was entirely due to game and table play, which recorded a 5 percent increase statewide. Slot win was down two-tenths of a percent for the month.

Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley said except for the fact baccarat was down 12 percent, game and table win would have been even higher.

North Shore Lake Tahoe was another bright spot in the October numbers as the effect of reopening the Crystal Bay Club began to show in the win numbers. Totals there were up 17.4 percent to $2.96 million for the month - the first big gain in more than a year.

South Shore had a solid but not spectacular month, reporting a 3.78 percent increase to $26.76 million.

Washoe County posted a rare - at least for this year - increase in gaming win with just under a percent gain to $89.65 million for the month. Before October, Washoe's win totals had been down for 10 months in the past year.

Washoe has been the county most effected by the opening of Thunder Valley and the Stations operated casino in Auburn, both American Indian casinos.