According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, a growth of 8.1% in casinos’ revenue was registered for the month of April. The influx amounted to a total of $177.1 million, in comparison last year when, over the same period of time, only $163.8 million were generated.
The so-called “17 river casinos” saw their business growing by 4.4%, surmounting to $82.8 million, while the coastal casinos registered an even bigger growth of 11.5%, totalling $94.3 million. These results are the product of 9 positive months. During the first 4 months in 2015, the casino revenue in Magnolia State increased by 1%.
The Mississippi gambling market is facing serious competition from the state of Alabama where four more casinos might open. The reports predict a loss of four million casino visitors per year.
Boyd Gaming President claimed that competition is inevitable and is about to get even tighter considering that a 12th Mississippi casino will soon be launched.
Mississippi is looking for a way to increase gambling revenue and has even resorted to lottery games and sports betting. Sadly online Poker is not an option for now because more than half of the Mississippi population doesn’t possess computers or have internet access.