Another record for Coast casinos
Posted on Wed, Dec. 19, 2007
Casino revenue surpasses $100MM
By MARY PEREZ
meperez@sunherald.com
The Coast casinos are jingling all the way into the record books, with the gross gaming revenue breaking $100 million in November for the first time.
Numbers released by the Mississippi State Tax Commission Tuesday show the Coast revenue was $104.1 million, beating the previous record of $99.1 million in 2004.
Revenue in the Mississippi River counties rose $1 million in November, which pushed the state total to $225.5 million and a record November for Mississippi.
"It's nice to continue to see that we're coming back," said Boomtown Casino General Manager Chett Harrison. "Very nice. We hope it continues."
October was the only month this year when the Coast gross gaming revenue fell below $100 million. A strong showing for November means the state and the Coast are poised to shatter previous yearly records.
On the Coast, the total revenue stands at $1.199 billion after 11 months, which is already higher than any yearly total except the $1.227 record for the 12 months of 2004. The state total is $2.664 billion. With revenues averaging $221 million for the past two months, the goal for 2007 of $3 billion is just out of reach.
Harrison said he is especially encouraged by the Coast's record because November isn't traditionally a strong month at the casinos. The casino operators are now turning their attention to snowbird season, he said. Most of Boomtown's marketing to snowbirds is done at Gulf Shores, Fort Walton, Destin and Plantation areas or Florida rather than in the Northeast or upper Midwest.
"They usually start showing up the first of January" in Florida, he said, and after a couple of weeks the snowbirds are looking for something to do besides walking on the beach. Wholesale motor coach trips to Biloxi provide three-day packages with free play and a meal.
Boomtown is spending $4.5 million to completely remodel its buffet and Harrison said his goal is to have it ready by Jan. 18 for snowbird season.
"Last year was spectacular," Harrison said, and he welcomes the cold and snowy weather that is already hitting the north this winter. "We love it. We hope a blizzard runs through the Midwest."
WEB EXTRA
For more information on gross gaming revenue, go to sunherald.com
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November gross gaming revenue
Coast Casinos $104.1 million
River Counties $121.3 million
State total $217 million
- MISSISSIPPI STATE TAX COMMISSION
