Mississippi Casino Gross Revenue Up

[Thomas]

Mississippi's gross gaming revenues were $265.6 million in March, up about $43 million from a year ago.

The gross earnings figure represents revenue with no operating costs or other expenses deducted. And it's casino revenue only - separate from hotel, restaurant or bar revenues generated by the resorts.

In March 2006, gross revenue totaled $222.8 million with $259.4 million recorded in March 2005, according to Mississippi State Tax Commission records.

The Tax Commission tracks gaming revenue by calendar year.

Gaming tax collections are tracked on the state's fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to the next June 30. Tax collections in March totaled $29.7 million compared to $25.1 million for March 2006.

Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 destroyed casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Many of those casinos have reopened.