Harrah’s New Orleans gaming revenue rises 26 percent in July

Harrah's New Orleans gaming revenue climbed more than 26 percent in July, reversing a nearly 30.7 drop a month earlier, which casino officials blamed on a citywide smoking ban that began in April. The property also regained the top spot as Louisiana's largest gaming revenue producer.

Statewide, gaming revenue increased 16.6 percent to $248.3 million, according to figures provided Thursday by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Gaming revenue at Harrah's New Orleans — the state's only land based casino — was $35.9 million in July. The figure was the highest total of any of the state's 20 casinos and racetracks with slot machines. The figure followed declines in June and May. Harrah's warned city officials revenue could decline up to 15 percent because of the smoking ban.

Harrah's New Orleans is the only casino in the state dealing with the smoking ban, which was implemented in Orleans Parish.

Pinnacle Entertainment's Boomtown New Orleans and Boyd Gaming Corp.'s Treasure Chest are located in Jefferson Parish and still allow smoking. Executives from the two properties said last week they hadn't seen any increase in business because smoking had been banned at Harrah's. Boomtown saw gaming revenue jump 17.4 percent in July and the Treasure Chest revenue was up 6.8 percent.

"New Orleans gaming revenues bucked their recent decline," Fantini gaming research told investors.

In a statement to the New Orleans Advocate, Harrah's said the increase was due to "an exceptionally high hold on table games." Harrah's said that its slot machine revenue was down 19.5 percent in the month.

"We expect to see continued volatility in month-to-month revenue comparisons as we adjust to the operational challenges the smoking ban has presented," Harrah's said.

Harrah's New Orleans has posted giant signs at its entrances, welcoming guests to the "best smoke free casino in the south."

"Our key focus remains on developing first-class outdoor smoking patios that will provide a more convenient alternative for our smoking guests to relax, while preserving the smoke-free environment for our non-smoking guests," Harrah's New Orleans General Manager Dan Real told the Review-Journal last week.

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Find him on Twitter: @howardstutz.