Buskers dressed as showgirls walk into a casino along the Las Vegas Strip on Feb. 10. For the first time since the pandemic began, Nevada’s gaming win exceeded $1 billion in March. (Photo: John Locher/AP, file)
For the first time since the pandemic began, gaming win exceeded $1 billion in March.
Total win was $1.066 billion, a 72.6 percent, $449 million increase over March of 2020 when casinos were ordered closed by Gov. Steve Sisolak.
Gaming Control Board analyst Mike Lawton said that is the highest total win since February 2013.
That puts fiscal year win at just 17.7 percent below the previous fiscal year at this point.
In the Carson Valley reporting area, which includes valley portions of Douglas County as well as the capital, total win was $11.97 million. That is the highest total win in the Carson Valley area’s history and a 130.3 percent increase over last March when Carson casinos brought in just $5.2 million.
Carson wasn’t alone. Downtown Las Vegas, the Boulder Strip, balance of Clark County and Elko County also set all-time win records in March.
South Shore casinos at Stateline saw an increase of 166 percent from a year earlier to more than $24 million. Likewise, tiny North Shore had a 176 percent increase to just over $2 million.
Churchill County reported $2.5 million in win, a 111 percent increase.
Washoe County’s total win was $83.1 million, a 152.6 percent increase. Of that, $59 million was from Reno casinos.
While most rural markets have been recovering steadily since casinos reopened nine months ago, the Las Vegas Strip was suffering, limping along at just over half the win before the pandemic. But in March, the Strip reported a 67.2 percent increase compared to last March, raking in $501.4 million.
Slot win increased 64.8 percent in March, accounting for $772 million of the total. Lawton said that is the second highest total slot win in state history.
Baccarat win was up as well but by a more modest 58.5 percent to $68.2 million.
Area Win Percentage Change
Statewide $1.066 billion 72.66%
Carson Valley $11.977 million 130.3%
South Shore $24.08 million 166%
North Shore $2.032 million 176.2%
Washoe County $83.02 million 152.5%
Reno $59.02 million 163.7%
Clark County $893.24 million 63.4%
The Strip $501.45 million 67.21%
