Casino News

10.4% revenue increases for Louisiana casinos

2008-06-18 14:59:33

Gaming resorts in Louisiana experienced a revenue spike of 10.4 per cent last month, it has emerged.

The US state's 18 casinos took almost $15 million more during May than in the corresponding period from 2007, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

With numerous regions and casino operators reporting revenue declines in recent months, the news should be welcome to companies in the Bayou State.

Economist Loren Scott of Louisiana State University suggested to the AP that the figures may be misleading, however.

There were five weekends in May as opposed to four last year, which could be the reason for the growth, she said.

Most of Louisiana's casinos are based on riverboats and as such the local gaming industry was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Land-based Harrah's New Orleans was forced to close down for several months as well, finally opening up again in February 2006 during the traditional Mardi Gras celebrations.