I’ve got the Nevada gaming revenue comparison and analysis for February up. Here’s the executive summary:
For Nevada’s gaming revenues, February 2011 had little to celebrate, though in some ways the numbers aren’t as dire as they seem at first glance. Comparatively, the Strip continues to outperform much of the state, but it is still reading water. As of today, the 3Q 2010 “baccarat recovery” is over.
Statewide, slot handle declined by 3.3%; higher hold percentage kept the drop in win to 0.49%. Table play cooled off considerably, with a 14.81% decline from the previous February, which had the benefit of a higher than average baccarat hold. The decline in baccarat revenue almost exactly matched the drop in hold percentage, as the amount played on the game remained nearly constant This small bump, centered on the Strip, wasn’t enough to compensate for the general torpor of the market, though table handle as a whole rose slightly.
On the Las Vegas Strip, slot handle fell, but a 9.08% jump in hold percentage meant that slot revenues actually increased slightly (3.17%). This speaks to the continuing weakness of the broader gambling market in Las Vegas. Table revenues declined by what appears to be an alarming 17.10%, but the return of baccarat hold to a normal level (11.71% vs. 17.04%) was largely responsible. Table handle overall increased by 3.86%, indicating a moderate increase in demand. Interestingly, the number of baccarat tables decline for the first time since at least 2004, indicating that the “baccarat recovery” of late 2010 may have been short?lived.
Downtown Las Vegas continues its slide, with declines in every category save one—table hold increased slightly. Since February 2004, Downtown revenues have shrunk by 31.04%. It’s clear that this is a market in dire need of a turnaround.
The Boulder Strip, a weathervane for local Las Vegas play, also saw declines, though not as severe as the Downtown area. Cheeringly, slot handle increased by 2.09%, and it may be that the fall in slot hold percentages to under 5%, if sustained, will help draw slot customers back.
Washoe County remains a market in decline: overall revenues fell by 8.55% from February 2010, and have fallen 31.04% since February 2004. The decline in table revenue (?14.85% year to year and ?45.13% since 2004) is particularly troublesome.
I’m working on a commentary piece about the numbers for Two Way Hard Three, as well.