Gambling revenue increases, but lottery sales flat

Gambling revenue increases, but lottery sales flat

POSTED 09/25/2008 - The economy is cutting into everyone’s pockets nowadays including the Florida Lottery. A new report says lottery revenue is flat and race and sports wagering are also declining. But the report does indicate that hard core gaming in Florida casinos is on the rise.

The 2008 North American Gaming Almanac ranks Florida sixth nationwide in gaming-industry revenue, with $3.7 billion in 2007. That's a 5.4 percent increase from 2006. The report released on Tuesday says revenues at Florida tribal casinos increased 2.3 percent from 2006 to 2007, to $1.6 billion. The report also said casino and card game revenue rose 379 percent, to $274 million.

Racing at horse and dog tracks and other sports wagering declined 43 percent, to $159 million.

The North American Gaming Almanac ranks Florida behind Nevada, California, New Jersey, New York and Louisiana in gaming revenue.