An unfavorable calendar and good beach weather combined to create a soft month for the region’s five casinos, which together saw their year-over-year revenues slip a little more than 2 percent in July.
The casinos together raked in a total of approximately $77.55 million in July, compared to $79.25 million during the same month last year, according to the monthly revenue report released Wednesday by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
“The 4th of July being on a Wednesday this year was tough. If it’s closer to a weekend, people tend to take an extra day off. Having one less weekend day was tough, too. We gave up a (fifth) Saturday for a Tuesday this year,” Matthew Schuffert, vice president and general manager of Ameristar Casino and Hotel in East Chicago, said.
Casino operators have said weekends tend to be busier at the casinos than weekdays.
“The weather in July was very warm and very dry,” Schuffert added, saying that could have contributed to the soft month.
Ameristar was the only casino of the five to report an increase in year-over-year revenues. According to the commission, it took in $19.17 million last month, a 5.1 percent jump from the $18.22 million it brought in during July 2017.
Schuffert attributes the gain to two factors: the casino’s new high-limit gaming room in the pavilion area, which he said is exceeding expectations, and continued strong growth in the overall table side of the business.
Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City had a 2.9 percent drop in year-over-year revenues, bringing in $13.49 million last month compared to $13.89 million the previous July, while Horseshoe Hammond saw its revenues dip 3.7 percent, at $32.84 million compared to $34.12 million.
Noah Hirsch, vice president and assistant general manager at Horseshoe Hammond, attributed the casino’s revenue decline to the one less Saturday and a number of lucky winners on the slot machines.
“We had several six-figure jackpots above the $100,000 threshold,” Hirsch said.
He said the casino has introduced a couple of new games: a progressive blackjack game and one with a variation of side bets on blackjack games.
Hirsch said Horseshoe Hammond also will get another shipment of new slot machines at the end of the month.
Majestic Star I took in $7.12 million last month, an almost 12 percent slide from the $8.05 million it took in during July 2017, and Majestic Star II brought in $4.93 million, a 0.8 percent dip from the previous July’s $4.97 million.
Hirsch said Illinois’ Chicago casino market had a similar month in July, with those casinos’ year-over-year revenues down 2.4 percent in July.
Year-to-date, Northwest Indiana’s casinos are faring better than their Illinois competition. Hirsch said revenues at Indiana’s five casinos together are down 0.8 percent as of the end of July, while Illinois casinos’ revenues have dropped 2 percent so far this year.
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
