As reported by: Northwest Indiana News
Combined revenues dipped slightly in April for Northwest Indiana's five gambling boats, failing for the second month to match February's $106 million record.

Overall revenues reached $105.3 million, down from $105.8 million in March.

Revenues from the state's 10 casinos tipped Indiana over the $200 million mark in April for the third consecutive month.

"Revenues continue to show progressive improvement," said Ed Feigenbaum of Indiana Gaming Insight.

Area boats paid a combined $39.2 million in taxes in April, out of a total of $74.5 million statewide. April revenues for the five boats were up by $10.8 million over April 2003, mirroring a nationwide trend that seems to have little to do with the state of the economy in general, Feigenbaum said.

"There doesn't seem to be any kind of sensitivity to either a lousy economy or a booming economy," he said. "It's really non-cyclical."

The two Gary-based boats, Trump and Majestic Star, contributed to the decline in local revenues. Trump was down $730,000 over last month, and Majestic Star revenues dropped by $480,000.

Horseshoe Casino in Hammond led the pack in revenues for April, posting $32 million in combined slots and table winnings, up slightly from $31.9 million in March.

Harrah's East Chicago and Michigan City's Blue Chip both posted higher revenues in April, with Harrah's up by $985,416 over March and Blue Chip up by $288,122.

The possibility of land-based casinos in Chicago and Lynwood, Ill., don't appear immediate threats to local casinos, Feigenbaum said.

"There is a saturation point. We have not reached that yet," Feigenbaum. "Obviously, the market keeps expanding."