Carson Valley gaming marks 17 months of increases

Nevada casinos recorded their second best month in history in September with $924.78 million in winnings.

At the same time, the Carson Valley area logged its 17th straight month of increases - which Gaming Control Board expert Frank Streshley said was one of the longest streaks in recent years.

Casino win was up 10 percent over September of last year. The total raked in was just a bit less than the all time record of $930 million in winnings set in March.

Not only did the state get its normal boost at the end of summer, Streshley said, high-end play was bumped up by the De La Hoya-Hopkins title fight at the MGM Grand Las Vegas which helped increase baccarat winnings more than 45 percent to $43.5 million.

But the Strip wasn't alone in enjoying the profits. Streshley said this is one of the few months ever when every reporting area in the state showed an increase over the same month last year.

The Carson Valley Area, which includes valley portions of Douglas County as well as capital city casinos, reported $10.1 million in gambling winnings for September - a 10.63 percent increase.

North Lake Tahoe casinos raked in 12 percent more than last year - a total of $4.2 million - aided not only by the recovering economy but the reopening of the Crystal Bay Club and expansion and remodeling at the Hyatt in Incline Village.

South Lake Tahoe also benefited with a 12.51 percent increase to $36.1 million.

Even Washoe County, which has had a rocky history because of California's economic problems and the business siphoned off by Indian casinos between the Bay area and Nevada, was up 7.56 percent over all to $92.6 million.

The record gaming win also helped state tax collections. For the first four months of fiscal 2005, tax collections are 4.3 percent above what was forecast for a total of nearly $224.7 million.

Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at nevadaappeal@sbcglobal.net or 687-8750.

September 2004 winnings by Nevada's casinos

• STATEWIDE: $924.8 million win, up 10 percent.

• CARSON-GARDNERVILLE-MINDEN: $10.1 million, up 10 percent.

• LAS VEGAS STRIP: $459.5 million, up 9.1 percent.

• DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: $55.9 million, up 8.8 percent.

• NORTH LAS VEGAS: $23 million, up 8.8 percent.

• LAUGHLIN: $47.4 million, up 10.5 percent.

• BOULDER STRIP: $73.6 million, up 11.1 percent.

• RENO: $65.8 million, up 4.6 percent.

• SPARKS: $14.9 million, up 17.3 percent.

• NORTH TAHOE: $4.2 million, up 12.1 percent.

• STATELINE: $36.1 million, up 12.5 percent.

• ELKO COUNTY: $20.6 million, up 10.6 percent.

• CHURCHILL: $1.7 million, up 14.9 percent.

• HUMBOLDT: $1.6 million, down 0.7 percent.

• WHITE PINE: $553,000, up 3 percent