JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi’s Gulf Coast casinos were hot in May, and their continued strength is beginning to push up gambling revenues for all of Mississippi.
State Revenue Department figures show casinos statewide won $185 million from gamblers in May, up 8 percent from $172 million in May 2014.
The 11 coastal casinos’ revenue jumped 19 percent to $100 million in May. Revenues there have risen more than 6 percent over the last 12 months.
The 17 river casinos saw winnings fall 3 percent to $85 million. Revenues have fallen for 32 of the last 35 months along the Mississippi River.
Buoyed by coastal gains, overall Mississippi casino revenue has risen 2 percent for 2015’s first five months.
The numbers, released Friday, exclude Choctaw Indian casinos, which don’t report winnings to the state.
