Casinos hit by slow economy

Northwest Indiana casinos are not holding up in weak economic times like they have in the past, according to The Post-Tribune of Merrillville.

Typically resistant to economic cycles, the casinos since December have struggled to maintain revenue levels. Revenue at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, for example, is down $5 million to $8 million a month this year.

Part of the downturn at Blue Chip was caused by the opening of Four Winds Casino in nearby New Buffalo, Mich., but part also is thought to be driven by gamblers cutting spending.

Indiana casinos in March brought in 11 percent less than the $252 million they brought in last year, the largest decline ever seen by the state.

However, casinos in other states are suffering, too. Illinois casinos slipped about 20 percent from a year earlier.l