Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
FRENCH LICK – The Indiana Gaming Commission released its March summary of gaming statistics, revealing a significant jump in gaming revenue at the French Lick Resort Casino.
The casino recorded a taxable adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of $6,467,650, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission’s report for the month. That figure is up 9.3% from February 2023 when the AGR was $5,917,190.
The total tax collected from that revenue also increased. In March, French Lick paid $1,034,824 in wagering tax and $107,576 in sports wagering tax for a total tax paid of $1,142,400 – more than double the tax paid the previous month.
In February 2023, French Lick paid $479,718 in wagering tax and $48,799 in sports wagering tax for a total tax paid of $529,517.
The running total for gaming taxes paid by the Orange County casino since the 2022-23 fiscal year began July 1 stands at $4,169,940, an increase of 31% from March 2022’s YTD total of $3,188,885.
Rebounding from COVID
Mandatory COVID shutdowns early in 2020 devastated the casino industry around the United States. According to the American Gaming Association, US casinos’ revenue fell 31.3% in 2020. Even as mandatory closures and restrictions were lifted, factors such as increased gas and food prices meant less disposable income for entertainment options such as trips to gaming sites.
The French Lick Resort casino’s gaming numbers have been inching upward but revenue has yet to get back to pre-COVID levels. A look back shows the casino’s AGR in March 2019 was $8,695,947 and total tax paid was $2,173,987.Â
Around the state
A summary of the state’s casino sites shows a total tax paid of $74,010,510 in March and an AGR of $217,916,547. Hard Rock Northern Indiana led all casinos in the state with $38,181,736 in AGR for the month. Horseshoe Indianapolis was second with an AGR of $33,202,520.
The current YTD tax paid for the state’s casinos topped $484,368,403.
Statewide, sports wagering for the month totaled $432,709,788. More bets were placed on basketball ($224,301,060) than any other sport.