Louisiana casinos take in us$ 197 million in July

Across the state, the mix of riverboat, land-based and race track casinos brought in us$ 26.7 million less than they collected in July 2011 and us$ 5.2 million less than June's total. In July, gamblers lost the most on average at Horseshoe Bossier City, Eldorado Resort in Shreveport and Treasure Chest in Kenner.

The state's only land-based casino, Harrah's in downtown New Orleans, won us$ 23.9 million, a 13 % drop from the same month a year ago and a 15 percent drop from the us$ 28.1 million taken in June.

Meanwhile, gamblers lost us$ 138.6 million at the state's 12 riverboat casinos last month, a 13 percent decline from July 2011. By comparison, the riverboats took in a combined us$ 139.9 million in June.

Louisiana's four race tracks took in a combined us$ 35 million, nearly the same as the previous month but an 8 percent drop from the same month a year earlier.

Among Louisiana casino markets:
- In Shreveport-Bossier City, the area's five riverboats won us$ 55.7 million, while the Louisiana Downs track casino took in us$ 6.4 million.

- The Lake Charles market's two riverboat casinos brought in us$ 42.3 million, while the area's Delta Downs track casino won us$ 16.3 million.

- In the New Orleans area, gamblers lost us$ 24.2 million at the riverboat casinos and us$ 3.8 million at the Fair Grounds race track casino.

- Baton Rouge's two riverboats won us$ 16.2 million.