The US$ 1.04bn is "the highest win amount since February of 2013, so you have to go back a little ways since we recorded such a high number, ” said Michael Lawton, a senior research analyst with the Tax and License Division of the Gaming Control Board.
"The billion dollar number is impressive; it’s sort of a high water mark, ” Lawton said. "The last time we recorded a billion was in July, but this month is a little bit higher than July’s … It’s a nice sign that we recorded a billion twice in the last seven months. ”
The driving factor behind the increase was the Chinese New Year beginning at the end of January, as opposed to last year being entirely in February. "Chinese New Year is a big event that brings in a lot of baccarat play, ” Lawton said. "It was a very good month for baccarat. ”
The biggest increases in January were in downtown Las Vegas, where revenue was up 32 %, and North Las Vegas, where it rose 25.94 %. Those increases were largely in part to the New Year’s Eve holiday occurring on a weekend, Lawton said.
