Northwest Indiana casino revenues decreased 2.9 percent in total in April as compared to the year-ago-month, driven mainly by a large drop of 11.1 percent at the two Majestic Star boats in Gary.
The five Northwest Indiana boats had total revenue of $91.3 million in April, as compared to $94 million in April 2012, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's April revenue report.
Total revenue at each of the five Northwest Indiana casinos dropped on a year-over-year basis, with the losses spread broadly although not evenly. The five boats in total eked out a small gain in March, after large drops the previous two months.
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The mixed revenue picture for Northwest Indiana casinos comes as legislation allowing for a wholesale expansion of gaming in Illinois is again moving through the legislature there. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently sweetened the pot by saying all casino revenue turned over to the city of Chicago by any new casino there would go to schools.
Nita said Indiana casino operators are encouraged by the serious treatment Indiana's General Assembly gave to gambling legislation in the session just ended.
He said an annual tax deduction of up to $5 million for free play offered by casinos, a key part of the legislation, should help start to "level the playing field" with states like Ohio. There, free play offered as promotions by casinos is basically tax-free.
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