Aided by high-end gamblers on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada gaming revenue increased 7.5 percent in August in comparison to the same period last year, according to figures released Tuesday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Of note, volume at baccarat (a high-end table game) was up 83 percent during the month, according to NGCB analyst Frank Streshley, who added that while slot win is softening, high-end play has benefited the entire market.

Gaming win rose to $1.06 billion in August 2006 from $989.1 million in August 2006, with the state government collecting $67 million in percentage fees in September – a rise of 8.3 percent from the same period one year ago. Of that win, baccarat accounted for nearly $40 million of the increase. Gaming win on the Las Vegas Strip – the heart of Nevada’s casino industry that includes casinos run by MGM Mirage, Harrah’s Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts - increased 14.3 percent to $556.3 million from over a year ago. Elsewhere, Reno northern Nevada casinos reported a gaming win drop of 2.3 percent from a year ago, ringing in at $68.6 million.

- Rex Harris