A horrible idea for the taxpayer, the economy and for gaming in particular has been resurrected in Congress. Yes, it’s the “national sales tax,” which would lay a double-digit impost on all goods and services, and which only could be rebated to us if we fill out onerous, monthly paperwork—much more burdensome than dealing with the IRS once a year. As formerly championed by disgraced ex-lawmaker Steve King, the root of the bill is the “strong father” model of government, in which the sales tax would be intended to A) make people resent government itself and B) curb consumer spending. An especially odious carve-out in the 2004 iteration of the bill—and this bears close watching—is that all businesses would qualify for tax refunds … except casinos and gambling-related businesses, which would get nothing. It’s a dagger aimed straight at the heart of the Big, Bad Casinos.

Gaming revenues dipped last month in Indiana, achieving $204 million, a 3.5% year/year decline. Hard Rock Northern Indiana ($34 million, +4%) continues to ransack its competitors. Horseshoe Hammond was closest, grossing $26 million but down 13.5%, while Ameristar East Chicago tumbled 13.5% to $16.5 million and Blue Chip (above) slipped 10.5% to $10.5 million. Caesars Entertainment‘s two Hoosier State racinos headed in opposite directions. Horseshoe Indianapolis was up 2% to $28.5 million, while Harrah’s Hoosier Downs was down 6.5% to a still-healthy $20 million. Defying the downward trend was Bally’s Evansville, jumping 9.5% to $15.5 million, while Belterra Resort was flat at $8 million and French Lick Resort was also level at $7 million. Caesars Southern Indiana was also steady at $21 million, while Hollywood Lawrenceburg slid 11% to $13.5 million. Rising Sun didn’t rise: -8% to $4 million.

Station Casinos is $62 million richer after unloading $56.5 acres of land near South Point to HCA Healthcare, a hospital chain. Don’t worry about Station’s plans to challenge Michael Gaughan for sub-Strip supremacy: It’s still harboring 126 acres of scrubland near the locals-casino behemoth (South Point, not Gaughan). Despite the flurry of Cactus Lane dealmaking, we still expect Station’s next thrust to be deeper into Henderson, with its much-bruited Inspirada resort.

Whilst 2022 may have come in like a lion for casinos, it’s going out like a lamb, despite an extra weekend day last month. Revenues in Maryland dipped 4.5% to $165 million statewide in December, still 11% better than the comparable period in 2019 (i.e., Just Before the Shyte Hit the Fan). Two casinos gained traction: Hollywood Perryville was up 1.5% to $7 million and Ocean Downs galloped 7% to $7 million. Everyone else was revenue-negative, even MGM National Harbor, down 7% to $69.5 million. Maryland Live ceded 4.5% but stayed close at $60 million. Horseshoe Baltimore was 1.5% down for its usual $17 million, seemingly the hard ceiling for this snakebitten property. Rocky Gap Resort slipped 4% to $5 million.