Chips are down for US casinos

WASHINGTON: US casinos have run into a string of bad luck as the recession and other factors cut into gambling revenues, even as more states move to get a piece of the action.

(Photo)A file photo of the entrance to Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon in Las Vegas. Gaming revenues in the 12 US states authorising casinos fell 5.7% in 2009, according to a preliminary estimate by the American Gaming Association.

Gaming revenues in the 12 US states authorising casinos fell 5.7% in 2009 to US$30.7bil, according to a preliminary estimate by the American Gaming Association, a trade group.

This followed a 4.6% drop in 2008 gross gaming receipts, the figures showed.

Gaming industry analysts say the recession has hit gambling along with all other consumer and leisure activities. But some say other factors are hurting casinos, including new entertainment offerings such as Internet gambling, which is illegal in the United States but according to some surveys is still widely practised.

A study by market research firm Mintel showed that 30% of adults visited a casino in the past year, down from 35% in 2001 – a 14% decline.

“This shift has been gradual, which suggests that this is not a result of the recession,” said Billy Hulkower, a Mintel senior analyst.

Hulkower said the trend suggests little or no growth in casino attendance over the past decade, a period that included two recessions and an economic upturn. This meant economics was not the only factor, he said.