Economy and Indian gaming take toll on Northern Nevada casinos

CARSON CITY - The weak economy and two major Indian casino openings combined to bite deep into the September gaming win in Northern Nevada.

A solid month in the south, however, was able to more than offset northern losses and the state finished 3.9 percent above September 2002.

Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley said Washoe County reported a 7.9 percent drop to just $86 million in win for the month - its lowest September in 11 years. And with the annual balloon races and the National Championship Air Races, September is typically one of Northern Nevada's best months.

Washoe County gaming win has been down compared to the year before in 10 of the past 12 months. And the decline is taking its toll on the less prominent properties in the area. The most recent example is the Sundowner which shut its doors for good Monday morning.

Stateline casinos were also hurt in September, reporting a 4 percent drop compared to September 2002 - just $32 million.

Even the lake's North Shore properties were down 2.5 percent despite the fact the Crystal Bay Club reopened in August after a year's closure. Total win there was $3.74 million.

Streshley said casino operators blame a combination of the weak economy and the impact of the Thunder Valley and the Stations American Indian casinos. Both are located west of Reno on Interstate 80.

"It's particularly having an effect on the game and table win," he said.

While Washoe's slot win was down 3.8 percent overall, game and table play was off 19.7 percent countywide.

The story was similar at South Shore where slot win was up 3.9 percent, but game and table win was off 21.4 percent.

Even in the Carson Valley area - which includes valley portions of Douglas as well as the capital city - game and table play was down 9 percent for the month. But an increase of 3.4 percent in slot win was able to offset that, leaving the Carson Valley area with a net 2.25 percent increase to $9.2 million for the month.

Statewide casino win for the month totaled $841.5 million led by a 7.7 percent increase on the Las Vegas Strip. Streshley said, however, the numbers were a bit disappointing because they had expected more from the Oscar de la Hoya-Shane Mosley fight.

Streshley said overall, the statewide numbers were good considering that September 2002 was up 6.1 percent from September 2001.

"The gaming win posted this month is positive but not as strong as we projected," Gov. Kenny Guinn said.

He said the 3.9 percent increase "does not keep up with the growth of our state, which continues to lead the nation."

Again, game and table win was down - 2.28 percent on the Las Vegas Strip and 5.69 percent statewide. Baccarat wasn't the culprit in September. Win totals for that game were about the same as last year even though volume of play increased 20.7 percent.