Pahrump casino operators see upgrades, increased revenue

Nye County gaming operators were “hot,” so to speak, from the summer of 2017 until the year ended—a roll that continued through the early part of 2018.

The wave came as a major casino company in Pahrump upgraded its gaming area.

Gaming operations in the county saw increases in gaming win for the entire second half of 2017 and into 2018—some reaching double-digit percentage gains on a monthly basis, according to data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The long streak of upward growth in gaming revenue started out with a nearly 29 percent climb, on a monthly basis, in July 2017. Gaming revenue for operators in the county was more than $4.2 million in July of 2017, well over the more than $3.27 million the same time a year earlier.

Some months did fall into single-digit growth but stayed positive. In January, gaming revenue in Nye County rose by 1.85 percent, compared to the same time a year earlier.

Annual numbers were also on the high for Nye County casinos.

Nye casinos brought in more than $50.5 million starting on Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2017. That was nearly 8 percent above gaming revenue counted through Dec. 31, 2016, a period that started on Jan. 1, 2016.

Clark County comparison

During several months of Nye County’s rise in gaming revenue, Clark County’s overall gaming numbers were on the decline, according to data from the state’s gaming control board.

January 2018’s 3.68 percent over the same time a year earlier, marked the fourth straight month of losses the area experienced.

Leadership at the control board thought there was a little more to the numbers starting to decline at the start of the year in January 2018, from the same time a year earlier.

“There was an unfavorable calendar compared to January 2017 with one less weekend day,” said Michael Lawton, senior research analyst for the Tax and License Division of the control board, in a Feb. 28 report in the Review-Journal. “Secondly, and more importantly, Chinese New Year festivities began in January last year, but this year the celebrations were held entirely in February. With all that, we are pleased with this month’s results considering the calendar issues and the billion-dollar comparison. I anticipated a larger decrease than what was recorded.”

Clark County gaming operators were up in gaming revenue through the end of 2017 and for the start of the year through January.

According to data from the gaming control board, Clark County gaming operators saw an increase of 2.72 percent on a year-over-year basis, reaching over $9.9 billion in revenue through the end of December 2017, the period starting Jan. 1, 2017. That growth was compared to the previous 12 months ending on Dec. 31, 2016.

Statewide totals in gaming revenue grew by 2.79 percent through Dec. 31, 2017 for the previous 12 months, on a year-over-year basis, to over $11.5 billion.

Casino expansion

The Pahrump Nugget Hotel-Casino redesigned its table games pit area, which was unveiled during the end of 2017.

“It is prudent that we continually revisit our casino offerings and update our gaming area,” Pahrump Nugget General Manager Jeremy Jenson said in a statement. “As the only casino in Pahrump to offer live table games, it is important that we provide our guests with the best possible gaming experience.”

Some of the new table game offerings include “High Card Flush” and “Heads-up-hold ‘em.”

Above the new tables are 10, 65-inch high-definition televisions so guests can check out the latest sporting events.

Contact reporter Jeffrey Meehan at jmeehan@pvtimes.com