Nevada Casino Win Down 9 Percent In Sept.

SANDRA CHEREB

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada casinos saw winnings from gamblers decline in September for the 21st month in a row, another sign that the state's tourism-dependent economy continues to suffer in the recession, gambling regulators reported Tuesday.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board said casinos statewide won $911 million from gamblers during the month, a 9 percent decrease compared with the same month in 2008.

Taxes collected on the September revenue totaled $54.3 million, a 14.6 percent decline from the same month a year ago. For the fiscal year that began July 1, the gambling win has decreased 10.3 percent.

The September figure was the amount left in casino coffers after gamblers wagered $11.6 billion at slot machines and table games, a decline of 4.2 percent from a year ago.

Taxes on casino wins make up about 30 percent of the state general fund. Nevada has been particularly hard hit by the recession as gamblers pull back on discretionary spending.

While the report is sobering, officials said it marked the second month in a row that declines have stayed in the single digits. August posted the first single-digit decline since May, said Frank Streshley, control board analyst.