Gaming revenue up 27.5 percent on Las Vegas Strip in July

CARSON CITY — The gambling win by Strip casinos, buoyed by strong baccarat and slot play, increased 27.5 percent in July compared to the same month a year ago, ending a two-month slide.

Most areas of Clark County reported increases in gaming wins, while the number fell at casinos in Northern Nevada.

The state Gaming Control Board reported today that, statewide, casinos won $1 billion, before taxes and business expenses, a 16.9 percent rise from July 2011.

The 41 casinos on the Las Vegas Strip showed a win of $597.4 million in July compared to $483.7 million for July 2011. The baccarat win skyrocketed by 113.8 percent after two off months.

Slot machine winnings jumped 10.6 percent in July, the biggest percentage gain since an 11.4 percent increase in June 2011.

Slots and baccarat are the biggest revenue producers on the Strip.

Gross win in blackjack games fell by 1 percent; craps jumped 72 percent; roulette was off 21 percent, and winnings at sports books climbed 230 percent.

The board reported the win in downtown Las Vegas was up 16.4 percent; North Las Vegas rose 36 percent; Laughlin fell 0.54 percent; the Boulder Strip posted a 17.2 percent increase; Mesquite was down 2.5 percent; and the balance of Clark County dropped 0.8 percent.

In Northern Nevada, Washoe County’s gaming win dropped 8.2 percent; South Lake Tahoe was off 0.58 percent; Elko County declined 0.5 percent; and Carson City fell 0.19 percent.