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orthwest Indiana’s five casinos collectively saw year-over-year revenues drop 28.3% in February, hit by last month’s heavy snowfall.
“The weather really attacked us. We managed to keep our doors open, but it was like a ghost town here for the first 2 to 2 1/2 weeks,” said Kathryn Jenkins, SVP and General Manager of Horseshoe Hammond, as reported by Chicago Tribune. She said the Hammond casino was down 30.1% year-over-year, which she attributed to the massive snowfalls that occurred in the first half of the month. The casino took in $24.7 million in revenues last month versus $35.39 million the previous February. She said revenues at all Indiana casinos together dropped 30.7%.
However, Jenkins said she was encouraged by how many guests returned later in the month, putting the casino back on track.
According to the monthly gaming revenues report released Friday by the Indiana Gaming Commission, Ameristar in East Chicago, Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Horseshoe Hammond and the two Majestic Star Casinos in Gary together brought in a total of $55.98 million in revenues last month, compared to $78.17 million in revenues during the same month last year.
Ameristar’s revenues slid 16.8%, from $18.52 million to $15.4 million, while Blue Chip’s pummeled 40.2%, from $12.48 million to $7.46 million. Revenues at Majestic Star I slid just under 20%, from $7.17 million to $5.78 million, while Majestic Star II’s revenues dropped 41.6%, from $4.52 million to $2.64 million.
Ameristar brought in $4.9 million in wagering tax, Blue Chip took in $3.9 million and Horseshoe took in $453,000. The Majestic Star Casinos don’t offer sports wagering.
The state is now at the Blue level under COVID-19 government-mandated restrictions, meaning the casinos can open up more casino floor space, although some popular amenities such as the buffets and entertainment venues will remain closed.
