By Robert Anglen
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Southeast Indiana's riverboat casinos might be posting record revenues, but last month's take fell short of September 2002.

Only two of the five Ohio River casinos - Argosy in Lawrenceburg and Belterra in Vevay - managed to post higher revenues last month than they did the year before, when the five boats posted a combined won $86.5 million.

Last month, the five boats won $86.2 million.

Win refers to the amount customers lost and accounts for gross gambling revenue, the amount a casino takes in before paying taxes, salaries and other operating expenses.

The September revenue reports released Monday by the Indiana Gaming Commission mark the first time this year that the majority of boats did not surpass last year's numbers. Even so, the five casinos are posting record profits this year, raking in about $809 million so far.

The Argosy won $32.8 million in September, $700,000 more than it did a year ago. It brought in 302,724 visitors last month compared with 300,306 a year ago.

Belterra won $11.6 million and hosted 152,424 visitors, versus $10.4 million and 144,764 visitors.

Grand Victoria in Rising Sun won $10.9 million and had 121,680 visitors, versus $11.6 million and 126,588 visitors.

Caesars Indiana, near Louisville, won $22 million and had 268,165 visitors. Casino Aztar in Evansville won $8.9 million.