Casino news from http://www.detnews.com/
DETROIT -- Gaming revenue at Detroit's three casinos jumped an average 16 percent in September, an unusually high boost that gaming experts attributed to the Ontario smoking ban and spill-off from the crowds the Detroit Tigers are attracting downtown.
In figures released Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, casino revenue in September jumped more than $15 million -- to $109.8 million -- from the same month in 2005, an unusually large year-over-year increase, officials said. The board initially released incorrect percentages at its monthly meeting; the numbers were later revised.
Each casino experienced double-digit growth: MGM Grand Detroit, 17.5 percent; MotorCity Casino, 14.6 percent; and Greektown Casino, 15.9 percent.
Dan Gustafson, executive director of the Gaming Board, speculated that the Ontario smoking ban and construction at the Casino Windsor -- slot machines and gaming tables have been taken out during renovation -- may have kept American gamblers on this side of the river.
"With the weather getting colder, smokers that visited Casino Windsor might have decided they don't want to go outside to smoke anymore and are staying in Detroit," he said.
Roger Martin, a Greektown Casino spokesman, attributed the casino's $4 million or 15.9 percent increase to several factors, including the the Ontario smoking ban and congestion at the Canadian border.
"We did our targeted direct mail promotional advertising in September along with television spots," he said. "We know the Tigers winning has brought more people downtown and to the casino."
Jacob L. Miklojcik, president of Michigan Consulting in Lansing and a gaming expert, said that although he expected revenues to grow at each of the Detroit casinos, he didn't expect the 16 percent average. He said an extra Saturday in the month -- compared to September 2005 -- would have factored into the increase.
"Those are large numbers. They surprised me," he said. "When you mix the extra Saturday with the smoking ban and the other items, it can make a big difference. When casinos edge up a couple of points in one month, they think they are doing a great job. But this size increase, I can't tell exactly why."
Miklojcik said fans attending Tigers games may have drifted to the casinos but he estimated that would comprise only 1 or 2 percent of the increase.
Teresa Roncon, spokeswoman for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. which owns Casino Windsor, said revenue is way off because of the low exchange rate, confusion at the border over what type of identification is needed, renovation at the casino and the backlash against the smoking ban, which Ontario enacted in May 30.
For these reasons, revenue at Casino Windsor was down $19.6 million or 17.2 percent in the quarter ending June 30 and continued to slump through September.
"It's been a challenge," she said.
|
|
World Casino Directory 
Gambling Forums 
