The Shreveport-area market saw a 13 percent increase in riverboat gambling revenue from January to February, according to statistics released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Five casinos combined to take in $54.6 million, which was up from $48 million in January. Pinnacle Entertainment’s L’Auberge Lake Charles still outpaced all riverboat casinos in the state with $25.6 million in February — a slight decrease from January’s $25.7 million take.

Isle of Capri in Westlake totaled $10.6 million in February, compared with $9.8 million the previous month.

Combined, the two Lake Area riverboat casinos made $36.3 million last month — an increase of 2.2 percent, or $35.5 million, in January.

The Lake Charles market trails only Shreveport in casino take, with New Orleans following at $24.5 million in February and Baton Rouge with $24.1 million.

Altogether, Louisiana’s 14 riverboat casinos took in $139.6 million last month.

Since July 1, 2012, players have spent $1 billion at riverboat casinos in the state.

Delta Downs in Vinton continues its dominance among racetracks that house slot machines.

Players spent $16.4 million at the facility in February — an increase of 2.2 percent, or $14.6 million, in January.

Evangeline Downs took in $7.9 million; Louisiana Downs, $6.1 million; and the Fair Grounds, $4.6 million.

The four racetracks’ slot operations took in $35.2 million in February — an increase from $31.3 million in January.

Since July 1, 2012, the racetracks’ slot operations have made $261.9 million.

(mgnonline.com)