Indiana gaming revenues nosed down 3% last month, for a total gross of $181 million. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff blames it on adverse 
weather from Hurricane Barry, plus intensified competition in the Louisville area. Both racinos were revenue-positive, with Hoosier Downs up 4% to $16.5 million and Indiana Downs rising 5% to $22 million. Belterra was flat at $10 million. Hardest-hit was market leader Horseshoe Southern Indiana, falling 12.5% to $18 million. Tropicana Evansville grossed $12.5 million (-6.5%), Rising Sun sank 6% ($4 million) and Hollywood Lawrenceburg won $15 million (-5.5%). Independent French Lick Resort was down 2% to $8 million.
Upstate, only Majestic Star I impressed, up 9% to $8 million. Majestic Star II slipped a point to $5 million, Ameristar East Chicago had a terrible month, plunging 14% to $16.5 million, while Horseshoe Hammond was flat at $33 million. Blue Chip shed a percentage point for a $13 million finish. Tribal Four Winds in South Bend doesn’t seem to be having much impact, probably because it’s a Class II facility in a Class III marketplace.
* Missouri was 4% lower last month, no reason given, although a bad run of luck at table games (11% down) would seem to be the primary culprit. Total 
revenues were $144.5 million. It wasn’t Boyd Gaming‘s month, what with Ameristar St. Charles off 2.5% to $23 million. Ameristar Kansas City had it even worse, plummeting 11% to $16 million. Penn National Gaming did rather better. Argosy Riverside jumped 9% to $14.5 million and Hollywood St. Louis was up a point to $20.5 million. Penn wasn’t so fortunate at River City (-7%, $18 million), while Eldorado Resorts fell 6.5% to $12.5 million at Lumiere Place. Harrah’s North Kansas City shed 5.5% to $14 million.
Eldorado’s Isle of Capri flotilla was a mixed bag. In Kansas City it plunged 9% to $5 million, was flat in Caruthersville ($3 million), down 5.5% in Boonsville ($7 million) and off a whopping 14.5% in Cape Girardeau ($4.5 million).
* VitalVegas reports that Resorts World Las Vegas is abandoning its Asian theme. Isn’t a bit late in the day for that? It never seemed like a great idea, verging on self-parody. So, if true, kudos to Genting for rethinking this.
* Planning on attending a convention at Mandalay Bay? The grounds and filters from your complimentary coffee will go to recycler Terra Firma, which will devolve them into fertilizer. Twelve tons of grounds have already been diverted from landfills. You go, MBay.
* Encore Boston Harbor made headlines by hosting a private concert by Tony Bennett. 200 lucky souls attended the event, held in the Picasso Ballroom. We hope Mr. Bennett lives forever.
