Coast casinos’ luck returned in June with revenue increase
In a year of ups and downs for South Mississippi casinos, June was a big plus to kick off the summer tourist season.
The Mississippi Department of Revenue reported Thursday that gross casino revenue on the Coast in June topped $100 million for the second time this year and was up by 6 percent from last year. The 12 Coast casinos won nearly $102 million in June compared to $96 million in June 2016, an increase of $5.6 million for the month.
River casinos struggled in June. Revenue dropped by $6.6 million to $72.5 million.
State revenue was down 0.5 percent in June to $174 million from $175 million a year ago.
Year to date, Coast casino revenue stands at $601.6 million, down $4.6 million — or less than 1 percent — from this time last year. Three months the revenue has been higher than last year and three months lower.
Twelve years after Hurricane Katrina, Coast casino revenue year-to-date is $40 million less than pre-Katrina levels. In 2004, the year before Katrina, the casinos had revenue of $641.7 million for the first six months compared to $601.6 million this year.
Mary Perez: 228-896-2354, @MaryPerezSH
Casino revenues (in millions)
Gross revenues | June 2017 | Month year | Change |
Coast | $101.8 | $96.2 | + 6% |
River | $72.5 | $79.1 | - 8% |
State | $174.3 | $175.2 | - 0.5% |
Source: Mississippi Department of Revenue, Gaming Commission
This story was originally published July 20, 2017 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Coast casinos’ luck returned in June with revenue increase."