Operator News
US – Nevada casinos post their best September in history
By Phil - 31 October 2019
Nevada’s casino sector posted its best ever revenues for the month of September, generating $1.06bn in winnings, reaching a high for 2019 and posting its fifth billion-dollar-month of 2019.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board confirmed the results which saw a 6.8 per cent increase, compared with the same month in 2018.
Control Board analyst Michael Lawton said it was the fourth straight year-on-year monthly increase in as many months.
“It was the fifth billion-dollar month for the year and the highest September in state history,” Mr. Lawton said. “We’re trending nicely after a slow start for the year.”
Baccarat delivered an increase of 54 per cent year-over-year, reaching $108.46m, although Mr. Lawton said over the year baccarat results were ‘choppy’ and down 9.3 per cent.
He said: “Baccarat held 19.47 per cent compared to a very weak 9.81 per cent last year. This stronger hold offset soft volumes, as baccarat volume totalled $557.1m, which was a decrease of $160.7m, or 22.4 per cent from last year. Although this month’s baccarat results were a significant improvement over last year, the long-term trend for the state’s baccarat business remains choppy at best, as win is currently down 9.3 per cent calendar year to date and volumes are down 12.4 per cent.”
He also highlighted an increase in slot machine play as having a positive effect with win totalling $690.2m, an increase of 8.3 per cent or $52.7m.
Mr. Lawton explained that slot win has increased seven times in 2019 and is up three per cent so far in 2019.
“The positive trend line that we are witnessing in slots is being driven by continued increases to volumes which were up 1.4 per cent this month,” he said. “Slot volumes have increased in seven consecutive months and through September are up 2.1 per cent.”
Downtown Las Vegas posted the highest percentage increase among the state’s 19 submarkets with a year-on-year increase of 19.9 per cent with winnings reaching $65.9m.
Nevada’s’ best ever monthly total came in October 2007 when the casino sector posted winnings of $1.165bn.
