The grand opening with the Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi in June wasn’t sufficient to move casino income around the Coast above last year’s levels.

The exact same point happened last month in Louisiana, where the new Margaritaville Casino was open in Bossier City for 17 days and took in $7.9 million, but income statewide was down $8.3 million from a year ago.

The 12 casinos in South Mississippi completed June with gross casino revenue down five % from June 2012, according to the report released Monday by the Mississippi Division of Income. The amount won by the casinos dropped to $85.two million from $89.9 million a year earlier.

Bradley Rhines, vice president of advertising in the Golden Nugget, stated revenue has exceeded expectations because the Isle Casino was rebranded as the Golden Nugget June 21.

“That trend has continued by means of July,” he said. “We’ve been encouraged by the turnout.”

The Golden Nugget is giving away 4 Mustangs this summer time as a promotion to draw new guests and Rhines stated they’re signing up visitors to their players’ club that had been in no way registered at the Isle Casino, exposing new persons for the market place and the Golden Nugget brand.

Income at Mississippi’s river casinos dropped by 8 percent in June. Winnings were $89.three million from $97.0 million a year ago. The state’s casino income was down $12.4 million, or 7 %, from June 2012.

Larry Gregory, executive director on the Mississippi Casino Operators Association, mentioned June’s numbers aren’t drastic or unexpected.

“Less men and women are coming towards the state and are spending much less dollars. We understand that,” he said. “We must quit it.”

In South Mississippi, he mentioned the new three-county tourism commission is in search of an answer to declining tourism. Gregory mentioned what’s needed to draw men and women to the casinos is additional non-casino activities.

Declining revenues also influence taxpayers in South Mississippi, considering the fact that fewer tax dollars are getting shared by the state and neighborhood governments and college districts.

For the initial six months of the year, Coast casino revenue is $541 million compared to $562 million from January to June in 2012 and $566 million in 2011.