Casino Money Continues To Drop

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A sharp drop in coastal casino revenue contributed to a 6 percent drop in Mississippi gambling revenue in July.

Mississippi Department of Revenue figures show statewide casino revenue fell 6 percent to $192.1 million.

The 12 coastal casinos won $97 million from gamblers, down 8 percent from the $105.4 million they won in July 2012. The 18 river casinos from Tunica to Natchez won $95.2 million, down 4 percent from the $93.7 million they won in July 2012.

Year-over-year casino revenue has fallen in all but one month since July 2012. Mississippi casinos, over the last 12 months, have collected only about 75 percent of what they collected in the peak revenue year of 2007.

The numbers exclude Choctaw Indian casinos, which aren’t required to report winnings to the state.