It looks like gambling winnings on the Vegas Strip fell in May by 6.3 percent. Baccarat and sports books took the biggest hits. It was the second month of a decline after two months of increases in gaming revenue.
Frank Streshley, chief of tax and licensing for the state board, said improvements in the gaming economy have stalled, mirroring the overall national picture.
Along the Strip, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the state’s gaming win, winnings from Baccarat fell 37.1 percent, ending 12 consecutive months of increased win in the game.
Streshley said players wagered more in Baccarat, but the “hold” at the casinos was 8.2 percent, compared to 13.3 percent a year ago. “The players were luckier than the casinos,” he said.
The win at the sports books on the Strip dropped by 42.2 percent as players won more on the start of the NBA playoffs.
Streshley said wins at Blackjack on the Strip increased by 2 percent; craps jumped 21.4 percent, only the second gain in the last 10 months; roulette win fell 14.1 percent and slot win was up 3.5 percent, only the second increase in the last 23 months.
The multi-denomination machines registered a 4 percent increase in gaming win and penny slots rose 18.7 percent. Megabucks was up 75 percent. But nickel, quarter, $1, $5, $25 and $100 machines all reported a decline in gross win on the Strip.
For the fiscal year, the state collected $630.9 million, down 3.69 percent from the prior year. The Economic Forum, Streshley said had predicted in January that the taxes would be off only 2.5 percent.