LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The Las Vegas NV Strip won huge in 2013 with gambling revenues hitting a five-year high.
Nevada Gaming Control Board reported in 2013 in that the Strip brought in $6.5 billion dollars, which was a 5 % boost over 2012.
Statewide, gambling brought in $11 billion last year, which was the highest since 2008.
Jay Rood, MGM Resorts, VP of Race & Sports, says with Super Bowl weekend & the Chinese New Year, their 10 properties were anticipating huge wins in sports betting.
“Having Chinese New Year fall on the same weekend is really huge as well. It’s going to just add to the number of people in that are going to be in town for the events.”
He asserted weekend bets can bring in a sixth of their revenue for the year.
“It can be very lucrative for us. It can be up to 15 to 18 % of our whole entire profit for the year if things fall really well for us,” Rood said.
On Friday, in the sports betting area at the Mirage, dozens of bettors were watching the screens hoping their bets went to the winning team.
“I had to place me a little bet on the Super Bowl even though I don’t care who wins,” Shawn Baker said.
Baker, one of these bettors, says he was visiting from Detroit with family & friends. While normally a conservative bettor, he always hopes to break even when visiting Las Vegas.
“Usually table games, craps, little bit of Black Jack, something with the better odds,” Baker said. “Not just like throwing your money on the floor.”
The Gaming Control Board reported in that high-end games like Baccarat were one reason for bringing in high revenues in 2013.
It boasted $1.5 billion last year on the Strip, which was a 16 % boost from 2012.
While Patty Slater, visiting from Pennsylvania, says she doesn’t spend her money on Baccarat, she can attest to spending money in general while in Las Vegas.
“Vegas is the place to be for the really nice casinos & the acceptable shows & acceptable restaurants & shopping,” Slater said.
The $6.5 billion in that the Strip brought in was nearly 60 % of Nevada’s total gaming last year. The Gaming Control Board reports in that is the highest percentage to date.
December of 2013 was moreover a huge win for the Strip, which brought in more than $600 million & was boosted 13 % from the month before.
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