St. Louis-area casinos had a so-so January, recording typical mid-winter results that lacked any big rises or declines in revenue.
The Casino Queen's revenue increase of nearly 11 percent led the overall lackluster results among the area's six gambling halls. Pinnacle Entertainment's River City complex in Lemay notched the only other double-digit increase---10.3 percent--over January 2011.
The region's only double-digit drop came from Pinnacle's sister gambling hall, Lumiere Place, where revenue fell 10.3 percent and admissionis dropped 13.5 percent. Lumiere Place extracted $12.6 million from gamblers, putting it in fifth place, ahead of only Argosy Alton, the region's smallest casino.
Overall, revenue at the area's casinos rose 3.2 percent, to $89.1 million, figures from state regulators showed.
January lacked severe winter weather, which would have been expected to keep gamblers at home. But the month had only four weekends. Casino revenue tends to rise in months with five weekends, which typically bring out more customers.
Winter blahs
Casino January change Revenue (in mill.)
Harrah's 0.7 percent $20.6
River City 10.3 percent $15.9
Lumière Place -10.3 percent $12.6
Ameristar -3.2 percent $21.5
Casino Queen 10.7 percent $12.9
Argosy Alton -2.7 percent $5.5
Market total 3.2 percent $89.1
Sources: Missouri Gaming Commission, Illinois Gaming Board
Tim Bryant covers real estate and construction for the Post-Dispatch. He blogs on Building Blocks. Follow the Business section on Twitter @postdispatchbiz.






