Gaming continues double-digit growth in November

Nevada casinos reported their best November in 2004 with an increase of nearly 13 percent compared with the same month of 2003.

Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley said casino win totaled $862 million, beating the 1999 record by more than $55 million and marking the fourth straight month of double-digit increases.

In fact, he said, eight of the 11 months recorded in calendar year 2004 were double-digit increases.

Like the state, the Carson City area also reported a double digit increase - the capital city's 19th straight month of increases in gaming win.

Streshley said the growth surprised casino owners and state experts who didn't really expect a big November. After all, there were only eight weekend days this November compared to 10 last year and the massive Comdex convention in Las Vegas was canceled.

The loss of one weekend did, however, take its toll on sportsbooks.

"Taking a weekend out of the month, you've lost 20 percent of wagering on the NFL and college football already," said Streshley.

Sportsbook winnings were down $38 million for the month - which completely offset double-digit gains by 21, craps, roulette and baccarat. Sportsbook operations in the state actually lost more than $1 million in November.

Because of those losses, game and table winnings overall fell 6.7 percent compared to last year.

But that was more than made up by a 22.3 percent increase to $615.5 million in slot machine and electronic game winnings. The new darling on the casino floor continued to be the high-tech penny slots which reported a 135 percent increase to just under $50 million in winnings.

Also extremely popular with gamblers are the multi-denomination machines which reported an 89 percent increase to more than $186.5 million in total wins. Those machines are the biggest moneymakers in Nevada casinos.

Every part of the state reported growth over November 2003 except Sparks where win was down 1Ú2 percent.

Clark County overall enjoyed a 14 percent increase to $720.4 million in winnings led by the Boulder Strip, where casino properties have developed dramatically over the past year. There winnings increased more than 40 percent compared to a year ago.

The Carson Valley area, which includes valley portions of Douglas County as well as casinos in Carson City, turned in a gain of 11.8 percent in November - a total of $9.1 million. Much of the increase can be attributed to the growth of Fandango and similar expansions along Highway 50 East. Fandango now has more than 600 slot machines on the floor.

Stateline casinos reported a total of $21.6 million in winnings - a 5.1 percent growth, and North Shore casinos a modest .8 percent to $2.64 million.

While Sparks was the only reporting area showing a decrease compared to a year ago, gaming growth was modest at best throughout Washoe County. Overall, the county reported an increase of just 2.95 percent in win with Reno strongest at 3.79 percent. County gaming win totaled $78.78 million.

Washoe County as well as the north and south shore areas of Lake Tahoe all cited winter storms that sharply reduced Thanksgiving weekend crowds.

Elko County, assisted by the recovery of the mining industry, enjoyed a 13.4 percent increase to $19.3 million in November.

Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at nevadaappeal@sbcglobal.net or 687-8750.

GAMING NUMBERS

Area November win Percent change

Carson Valley $9,115,838 11.82%

South Shore $21,617,027 5.09%

North Shore $2,648,397 0.80%

Washoe County $78,784,270 2.95%

Statewide $862,148,985 12.87%