By Michelle L. Quinn, Post-Tribune correspondent
As if the flailing economy hasn't been hard enough on Indiana's casinos, terrible weather and flooding played a part in June's overall gambling revenue decrease.
Eleven of Indiana's casinos reported an almost 9 percent decrease in turnstile numbers for June, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly revenue report. Most of that number comes from Michigan City's Blue Chip Casino, which reported 182,191 visitors last month compared with 270,890 visitors a year ago.
Blue Chip is still struggling under the shadow of the new Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich., according to Indiana Gaming INSight Editor Ed Feigenbaum. Last month, Blue Chip brought in $14.8 million in revenue, compared with $24.6 million last year and $17.2 million in May of this year.
Flooding in southern Indiana also had an impact on the industry this month, particularly the French Lick and Evansville properties, Feigenbaum said.
Tornadoes in the central part of the state likely hindered the performance of the two "racinos," -- Indiana Live in Shelbyville and Hoosier Park in Indianapolis -- though the racinos neither report attendance nor are taxed on their patrons.
Barring additional weather-related incidents, July will be the true test of where the economy is leading the industry, Feigenbaum said.
"Assuming it's a normal month -- and July is always a pretty good month -- we'll see if people are staying home and going to their local casinos or if they're traveling to Vegas or the Gulf Coast," he said.
In its first month as Ameristar, the East Chicago casino enjoyed a $25.8 million revenue month, compared with $24.9 million last year when it was still Resorts. Revenues for Horseshoe in Hammond dipped slightly, to $35.2 million compared with $36.6 million a year ago.
Gary's Majestic Star casinos took in a combined $19.5 million, down from $21.1 million last year, the report said.