Louisiana casinos win us$ 224.3 million in July

The tally was 2.2 % higher than the July 2010 figure of us$ 219.4 million. In June 2011, the casinos won us$ 197.2 million.

Harrah's New Orleans Casino, which is usually the top-winning casino, was upended last month as Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.'s L'Auberge Du Lac in Lake Charles took in us$ 35.8 million. That was also us$ 13.2 million more than Horseshoe in Bossier City, which was second place among the boats.

After taking a double-dip drop during the economic meltdown, Louisiana casino winnings have rebounded and generally are showing small year-to-year increases each month. The industry nationwide has been hit by high gasoline prices, tight consumer dollars and less business and vacation travel.

Among the state's casino markets: Shreveport-Bossier City, which has five riverboats and the Louisiana Downs track casino, won us$ 71.6 million last month, virtually unchanged from July 2010. The market, which competes with Indian nation casinos in Oklahoma for Texas players, may have another casino in 2013: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board on Thursday approved a plan for the proposed us$ 181 million Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City.