Nevada casinos cleared $24 million in revenue and $2 billion in income in 2006, continuing a trend of year-after-year, record-setting financial performances.

Another emerging trend was evident in the Nevada Gaming Commission’s annual report: non-gambling amenities accounted for a larger portion of casino revenue for the second year, 51 percent in 2006 versus 49 percent for table games and slot machines.

Non-gaming revenue was divided evenly between things like room rates, dining tabs, spa treatments and shows.

The lion’s share of revenue came from Las Vegas, with the Strip casinos generating a total of $14.9 billion in revenue. A record-setting year of room occupancy—94 percent—at rates averaging $137 per night helped drive revenue along the Strip.

Slot machines remain the king of the gaming floor, accounting for 67.2 percent of all gaming revenue. Table games brought in slightly less than 30 percent of revenue, and the most popular and talked about game, poker, brought in just 1.4 percent.

By Greg Jones

Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.

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