Gaming win up 3.7 percent in February

Gaming wins by Nevada casinos increased 3.77 percent in February.

Furthermore, collections plummeted to 30 percent below the total taxes collected in the same month of 2004.

One of the reasons behind the seemingly flat month was that last year was not only leap year but Feb. 29 fell on a Sunday and gave the month one more weekend than this February. The combination helped make that month the third best in Nevada history and nearly 16 percent higher than February 2003.

"February's results were good, especially in light of the very tough comparison with last February," said Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Total win this February was just over $909.5 million, bringing the percentage gain for the fiscal year to date down a bit. But fiscal year totals are still nearly 8 percent above the same seven months of the previous year - which is nearly 3 percent higher than projected by the Economic Forum.

The Carson Valley area, which includes Carson City and valley portions of Douglas County, recorded its 22nd straight month of growth with an 8.55 percent increase in total win to $9.3 million.

Washoe County and gaming markets at Lake Tahoe, however, were hurt by storms that closed roads to the Basin and Interstate 80 to Reno. Stateline casinos were down 12.5 percent to $22.4 million and Washoe County was down 3.9 percent to $77.66 million. North Shore casinos, which have been growing steadily in gaming win, suffered a small setback in February - a 2.83 percent drop to $3.17 million.

With the mining industry again booming, Elko County enjoyed a 15.95 percent overall increase in gaming win to just over $22 million.

A total of $462.67 million was won by strip casinos in Las Vegas - 4.66 percent above the previous February.

The drop in collections, according to Gaming Control Board Analyst Frank Streshley, comes back to Chinese New Year. Last year, the celebration was earlier in the month and a much larger percentage of credit play by high rollers was collected. This year, the celebration was in mid-month and Streshley said casinos haven't collected a large amount of the money owed them.

He said it will come in with the March and April numbers.

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