Despite More Visitors Gaming Revenue Stays Down

LAS VEGAS-October has typically been one of the best months of year for Las Vegas Strip casinos, but last year it was one of the worst and this year was no different, according to data released Thursday by the state Gaming Control Board. Gamblers lost $426.3 million on the Strip in October 2009, down 10.26% from the same month in 2008 thanks to lucky gamblers.

The more startling data is that October 2009 gaming revenue is off 46% from the $784.5 million gamblers lost in October 2007. That is, until you see that October 2007 was the best month in terms of Strip gaming revenue ever.

The good news, for the sake of comparisons anyway, is that there was a big drop off from October 2007 to November 2007. As a result, November 2009 need to come in only 3% better than October 2009 to show improvement over November 2008. If so, it would be the first year-over-year increase of 2009. November results will be released this time next month.