Northwest Indiana casinos post revenue growth in November

The casinos together raked in a total of $74.56 million last month, a 1.3 percent hike over their November 2016 revenues of $73.57 million, according to the monthly revenue report released by the Indiana Gaming Commission on Friday.

Horseshoe Hammond Casino showed the biggest gain, taking in $33.59 million compared to $31.87 million the previous November.

The casino's senior vice president and general manager, Dan Nita, said the 5.2 percent increase reflected growth on both the table and coin-in sides.

"I think the messaging of our hundreds of new slot machines is just getting out into the market," Nita said.

Ameristar Casino in East Chicago took in $17.11 million in revenues last month, a modest hike over the $17.04 million it brought in the same month the year before.

"We're seeing a little bit of growth compared to last year and October. I'm pretty happy with November," Ameristar's vice president and general manager, Matthew Schuffert, said.

Schuffert said the casino is seeing continued strong growth on the table side, especially with baccarat.

"This helps with the decline on the slot side," Schuffert said.

He said Ameristar's slot business has had its ups and downs this year.

"We'll continue to monitor that business," Schuffert said.

Majestic Star I Casino in Gary also showed a slight revenue gain, generating $7.13 million last month compared to $7.10 million the previous November.

Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City and Majestic Star II in Gary both saw revenue slides. Blue Chip raked in $12.14 million last month, compared to $12.69 million in November 2016. Majestic Star II took in $4.59 million compared to $4.86 million last November.

November marked the fifth month of year-over-year gains for the Northwest Indiana casinos combined this year, compared to six months of declines.

Nita pointed out, however, that both the declines and jumps have been modest.

"They could be explained be changes in the calendar days," Nita said.

He said so far this year, the casinos are down a little over 1 percent revenue-wise.

The Chicago area casinos in Illinois saw their-year-over year revenues slide 1.6 percent in November, Nita said.