NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Despite a slow economic recovery pinching consumers' wallets, gamblers were just as fond of Louisiana casinos in 2011 as in 2010 — at least gauged by how much money they left behind.
According to state figures, Louisiana's state-licensed casinos took in $2.37 billion last year — virtually flat from 2010.
December's tally totaled $201.9 million — down 1.2 percent from $204.3 million in December 2010.
Last month, the 13 riverboat casinos in December won $138.6 million. Harrah's downtown New Orleans casino took in $32.1 million and the four race track casinos won $31.2 million, state police reported Thursday.
The casino recovery from the Great Recession has been a shaky one for the casino business. While more casinos have popped to offer more competition, tourist and convention destinations such as Nevada have been hit by cutbacks in business and pleasure travel.
Nationwide, revenue figures still show a mixed picture.
Year-to-year figures aren't in yet for Mississippi casinos, though that state had its worst month in November in almost 11 years. Nevada saw a 7 percent jump in November-to-November revenue, while New Jersey broke a 3 1/2-year losing streak in December with a 4.2 percent revenue increase from December 2010. Still, New Jersey revenue in 2011 fell 6.9 percent from 2010.
Overall, Louisiana casinos have weathered the economic downturn well — and about $1 billion is committed to new casino projects in the state amid new competition for wagering dollars, said Dane Morgan, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Among the state's casino markets:
— In Shreveport-Bossier City, which is heavily dependent on Texas gamblers, players left behind $61.1 million last month at five riverboats and the Louisiana Downs track casino, down from $63.1 million in 2010. In addition to competition from Indian casinos in Oklahoma, the area also has new competitors for the Arkansas wagering dollar with casinos at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., and the Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, Ark.
In addition, a sixth riverboat casino is in the works for the market.
— In Lake Charles, which attracts Texas gamblers, three riverboats and the Delta Downs race track won $58.5 million in December, up from $56.7 million in December 2010.
Lake Charles had the riverboat with the biggest winnings — L'Auberge, with $32.2 million — and the boat with the lowest total — $940,611 at the Isle of Capri. Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. has sold the license for that boat to the new Shreveport-Bossier city development. The company also owns another riverboat in Lake Charles.
At the same time, construction will begin soon on the $400 million Mojito Pointe riverboat casino-resort complex in Lake Charles.
Recent revenue figures support the idea that the area can support another riverboat resort, Morgan said.
— In the New Orleans market, which has the downtown casino, two riverboats and the Fair Grounds track casino, players lost $55.3 million last month, down a bit from $56.8 million in December 2010.
Morgan said he expected the New Orleans market to enjoy a strong January-through-March period due to the recent Sugar Bowl and BCS championship football game in earlier this month, the Mardi Gras season in February and the men's Final Four college basketball matchups in March.
— The two riverboats in Baton Rouge won $15.1 million in December, down from $15.9 million the previous December. Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. is developing a $357 million riverboat-hotel to compete with the existing two boats.
— The Evangeline Downs track casino at Opelousas won just a shade less than $8 million last month, up from $7.7 million in December 2010.
— The lone riverboat in the Morgan City area took in $3.8 million last month, a drop from $4 million from December 2010.
In November, state-licensed casinos won $175.3 million, down 2.9 percent from November 2010.
The figures do not include Indian reservation casinos, which are not required to report winnings to the public.
