Casinos in Indiana grossed $187 million last month, a 3% increase. Caesars Entertainment would appear to have robbed Peter (Horseshoe Southern Indiana) to pay Paul (its two racinos). Horseshoe was down 8% to $20 million, while Indiana Downs 
cantered past it to a $21 million finish, gaining 4.5%. Hoosier Park surged 12.5% to $16 million. Biggest gainer of all was French Lick Resort, up 14.5% to $9 million. Tropicana Evansville and Hollywood Lawrenceburg were flat, for $13 million and $15.5 million respectively. Rising Sun set 2%, to $4 million, while Boyd Gaming was pushing the right buttons at Belterra, up 5% to $10 million. In the northern tier of the Hoosier State, Horseshoe Hammond was becalmed but still pulled in $32 million. Primary rival Ameristar East Chicago gained 10% on the competition to finish at $19.5 million. Blue Chip continues to rebound from tribal competition at Four Winds Casino. For December it was up 7.5% to $13 million. As for the two Majestic Star boats, the first lost a percentage point to finish at $7.5 million and the second vaulted 16% to $5 million. All in all, a pretty good month.
* Missouri wasn’t doing too badly. Up 2.5% for a $152 million gross. Slots were up 2% and tables 5%. In St. Louis, Boyd’s Ameristar St. Charles gained 3% for a market-
leading $23 million, while even tail-end Charlie Lumiere Place leapt 6.5% to $14 million. Hollywood St. Louis slipped 4% to $19 million and River City gained 7% to $21 million. In Kansas City, Ameristar again led the pack with $17 million, a 3% uptick. Harrah’s North Kansas City grossed $15.5 million, up 5%, Argosy Riverside grossed $15 million, gaining 6%, and Eldorado Resorts had an adverse month at Isle of Capri Kansas City, down 5.5% to $5.5 million. Noteworthy among the outstate casinos was Lady Luck Caruthersville, up 5% for a $3 million gross.
* It’s Consumer Electronics Show time in Las Vegas and sex toys are all the rage. Reports France24.com, “intelligent toasters and AI vacuum cleaners are having to make room for the sex toys of the future.” These include virtual pole dancers and a collar device, Tenuto, designed to prolong the male orgasm. The latter is the product of U.K. firm Mystery Vibe, whose co-founder, Stephanie Alys, said: “It’s not strange to want a more satisfying sex life, and there’s nothing wrong with you if you need technology to help you achieve that.” Other companies were showing off vibrators operated by smart watches and others that operate hands-free. Where better than Sin City to unleash these gadgets upon the world?
* Ellis Island Casino was scheduled to open its Front Yard beer garden late last year but, so far, bupkis. Anybody know what the holdup is?
