August Rough Month for Gambling Revenue in Louisiana

Louisiana gambling revenue has remained in fairly healthy condition, but this August saw even that state's casinos affected by the national economy.

Louisiana casinos reported a ten percent decline in revenue from gambling venues in the month of August. The casino winnings drop was unexpected following a strong performance in July.

Numbers released today by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board show a total intake of just under $200 million, compared to $220 last month and $217 million last August

Casino representatives said increased competition from tribal casinos located in Oklahoma had hurt business in the Shreveport market, as visitors from Texas declined. Figures verified that Lake Charles, further south on the Texas border, had remained relatively steady, while the Shreveport decline accounted for $13 million of the state drop.

A potential third riverboat casino to be located in Baton Rouge received another reprieve from deadlines to begin construction, as operators plea the need to outwait the recession before starting the new casino.

For most of the recession, Louisiana casinos have fared much better than other states' gaming operations. Even while Las Vegas and Atlantic City are reporting double-digit losses, Louisiana has continued to perform well.