November 2017 gains improve Lake Michigan casinos' year

Horseshoe in Hammond led the growth in November, up 5.4 percent to $33.6 million over a year ago.

"We're pleased with the fact we've had growth the last seven months," Horseshoe Senior Vice President and General Manager Dan Nita said, citing growth in table-game play and the fact that Horseshoe was able to hold steady in slot play.

Ameristar in East Chicago was the Region's other gainer, up 0.4 percent to $17.1 million. A decrease in slot revenue was overcome by strong table play.

"November definitely showed great growth in the table side of our business," Ameristar Vice President and General Manager Matt Schuffert said. He also noted Ameristar's growth in overall win from October, making it the only Region casino to grow revenue month-to-month.

Gary's Majestic Star casinos were down 2.1 percent, to $11.7 million, and Blue Chip in Michigan City saw a decline of 4.3 percent to $12.1 million.

After a relatively slow start to the year that left casino revenue down nearly 6 percent after February, November's gain lowered their year-to-date decline to just over 1 percent, as compared to 2016. Through the first 11 months of the year, gaming revenue in Northwest Indiana stands at $864.3 million.

The number of patrons entering the casinos was down 4.4 percent as compared to November 2016, to just over 724,317.

Casinos on the Illinois side of the state line were down 1.6 percent in November, Nita said, putting the greater Chicago area down slightly from a year ago.

Statewide, Indiana's 13 gambling establishments saw strong growth of 4.1 percent year-over-year, to $180.7 million. They paid a total of $45.9 million in admission and wagering taxes.