State casinos set record for July

Nevada casinos set a record for the month of July, winning more than $1 billion.

That is 8.38 percent more than July a year ago, which was nearly 18 percent more than the year before that.

Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley said the numbers were better than expected since July 2005 was so strong following the opening of Wynn Las Vegas and this past July had one fewer weekend day.

The increase also reverses June's 3.5 percent decrease in total win - which was the first monthly decrease from the previous year since July 2004.

Most of the good news, however, was in the south. The Strip posted just short of a 10 percent growth in win with North Las Vegas, the Boulder Strip and the balance of Clark County all in double digits.

Streshley said the Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas fight helped those totals.

The Carson Valley Area, which includes valley portions of Douglas County as well as the capital, reported a 7.85 percent dip in win totals to $10.77 million. A more than 10 percent decline in slot win was partly offset by a 20.1 percent growth in game and table win.

Washoe County, western Nevada and the northeast, however, were all down from a year ago.

In Washoe, total win was $99.7 million, down 1.4 percent. Most of that decline was in Reno where win fell 2 percent to $71.2 million. The only market up in Washoe was North Lake Tahoe, which reported $5.4 million in win - a gain of 3.6 percent.

The credit there goes to a 10.2 percent increase in slot win, which was brought back down by a 12.3 percent reduction in game and table win.

South Shore was down 6.65 percent to $39.6 million. Most of the damage was in slot win. Also total play was off just 1.9 percent, and slot win was down 9.9 percent despite hosting the annual celebrity golf tournament in July.

Elko's total win was also down a percent to $23.7 million. Wendover posted an increase of more than 6 percent, but the balance of the county was down some 11 percent.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.

Gambling wins for July

Area July Win Percentage change

Statewide $1.039 billion 8.38%

Carson Valley $10.76 million -7.85%

South Shore $39.64 million -6.65%

North Shore $5.43 million 3.61%

Washoe County $99.7 million -1.04%

Reno $71.2 million -2.01%

Clark County $850.2 million 11.04%

Las Vegas Strip $531.6 million 9.96%