By Karen Caffarini, Post-Tribune correspondent
Three of Northwest Indiana's five casinos hit troubled waters last month, according to an expert on Indiana gaming.
Ameristar in East Chicago had its lowest admissions in the property's history, Majestic Star II had its lowest slot coin in numbers since opening in Buffington Harbor 14 years ago and Majestic Star I had the lowest coin in since 2000, said Ed Feigenbaum, editor of Indiana Gaming Insight. Feigenbaum made his observations while commenting on the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly report on casino revenues.
Larry Buck, senior vice president and general manager of Majestic Star Casinos and Hotel, said the monthly figures were "expected, given the condition of the economy." He said slots players were a little luckier than normal last month, with slots paying back 93.16 percent. He also pointed out that Majestic Star II was under renovation last month, pushing people from that boat to the adjacent Majestic Star I.
Reggie Dotson, spokesman for Ameristar East Chicago, denies that August's admissions numbers are the lowest the casino has had in a given month since it opened 14 years ago. He said there appears to have been other months with lower figures in the past.
On the flip side, Horseshoe Hammond has positioned itself as the most lucrative casino in the state, Feigenbaum said, breaking ahead of long-time rival Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, and Blue Chip's investment in a new hotel is paying off.
"Blue Chip's new hotel has obviously helped the casino. It's shown significant improvement in revenues every month since the hotel has been open," Feigenbaum said of the Michigan City property.
Overall, Feigenbaum believes declining revenues need to be a concern to the state.
"We're not seeing the kinds of numbers we used to see," he said.
Buck agreed.
"What's most important is people are not yet comfortable spending their discretionary income," Buck said.
Ameristar took in $23.1 million last month, compared to $25.8 million the previous August, Blue Chip took in $15.4 million compared to $16.6 million, and Horseshoe Hammond raked in $42.4 million, about $6 million less than last August's $48.1 million, when it opened its new vessel.
Majestic Star I took in $9.6 million in August, compared to $11.1 million the year before, and Majestic Star II took in $7.4 million, compared to $8.6 million.