Despite a nationwide economic slowdown, Louisiana’s state-licensed casinos won nearly USD 208 million from gamblers in October, an increase over the same period last year, state police reported Tuesday at a Louisiana Gaming Control Board meeting in Baton Rouge.

Revenue was up for the year at all New Orleans-area casinos except Harrah’s New Orleans, the state’s only land-based casino. The casino won USD 30 million from gamblers in October, down 6.5 percent from October 2007. But revenue was up 31 percent from September, when the casino was closed for five days because of Hurricane Gustav.

Both the Boomtown Casino in Harvey and Kenner’s Treasure Chest Casino reported gains. The West Bank riverboat reported USD 14 million in revenue this October, up 3 from the same month last year. The Treasure Chest generated USD 9.5 million in revenue, up 4.5 from the same period a year ago.

The slot facility at the New Orleans Fair Grounds also reported a year-over-year gain. The slots produced USD 2.5 million in winnings in October, up from USD 1.2 million in October 2007, the facility’s first full month of operation.