Illinois lawmakers think casino gambling is a bottomless well of revenue, as witnessed by their recent approval of five new gambling houses and three racinos (just for starters). However, last month’s actual revenues were less 
than auspicatory. At $118 million, they were down 2%, even with an extra weekend day to bolster the takings. In fairness to the industry, numbers were roughly flat once Argosy Belle, rendered hors de combat due to flooding, is subtracted from the mix. The Belle was down 69%, bringing in an uncool million. Customers evidently took their business to Casino Queen, up 15% to $9 million. Harrah’s Metropolis may have also picked up some business lost elsewhere, up 10.5% to $7 million. At Par-A-Dice, owner Boyd Gaming clawed back business lost to slot routes, rising 4% to $6.5 million. So there’s room for hope, at least in the near term.
Usual state leader Rivers Casino was down 6% to $39.5 million, while Grand Victoria had another off month, slipping 5% to $13 million. Every other northern-tier riverboat was revenue-positive for May. Empress Joliet scored $10.5 million (+2.5%), Harrah’s Joliet rose 5% to $15 million, Hollywood Aurora moved up 4.5% to $10 million and Jumer’s Casino Rock Island jumped 4% to $6 million. With slot routes expanding by 20% and racino conversion likely to be swift, Illinois casinos should enjoy this honeymoon while it lasts.
* The contraction of revenue that has afflicted Big Gaming over the rest of the country has finally hit Maryland. Casino revenues were down 3% last month. Casinos in the Free State grossed $152 million, with MGM National Harbor 
hitting a 5% speed bump ($59 million gross), with low-tax table games falling off 20% while high-tax slots grew 10%. Due to a JP Morgan software malfunction, most dollar numbers—as well as the rest of this posting—are inaccessible. Maryland Live defended market share relatively well, off 3%, while Horseshoe Baltimore took it in the shorts with a 14.5% revenue plunge. Hollywood Perryville had a rare good month, up 2%. Market share was dominated by MGM (39%) and Maryland Live (35%), with Horseshoe far behind at 13.5%. Across the border in West Virginia it was a fairly good month for Charles Town Races, up 1% thanks to lucky table-game play, with the casino’s winnings up 19% on the felt.
