The recession is still taking a bite out of Northwest Indiana casino revenues, with four out of five gaming boats realizing lower revenues this December as compared to one year before.

Overall revenues were down $3.81 million at the five gambling emporiums. Only Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City notched a year-over-year increase, taking in $12.87 million, representing a 9.47 percent increase as compared to revenues in December 2008, according to a monthly revenue report from the Indiana Gaming Commission.

"Obviously the big thing is the economy," said Ed Feigenbaum, editor of Indiana Gaming Insight. "I don't think you can point to anything else. It's still pretty obvious the strong are getting stronger and the weak are getting weaker."

The best example of the strong getting stronger is Horseshoe Casino, which opened a new $500 million gaming floor and entertainment venue in late 2008.

In 2009, that propelled Horseshoe to the largest revenue take ever for an Indiana casino, according to Indiana Gaming Insight figures. The Harrah's Entertainment property took in more revenue than any casino in Indiana history with $527 million in revenue in 2009.

But that was more than made up for by the weak getting weaker. That has been particularly true of Majestic Star I and Majestic Star II in Gary. The first Gary gaming boat saw its December revenues fall by 25.5 percent in December as compared to the same month last year. At the second boat, revenue dropped 11.08 percent.

Majestic Star Casinos declared bankruptcy in November and wants to reorganize under bankruptcy court protection while continuing to seek legislative approval for moving at least one of its gaming licenses to land.

The two Gary boats also appear to be taking the brunt of the Cline Avenue bridge closing.

But the recession has not only affected the weak.

In December, Horseshoe took in $39.1 million in revenue, a drop of 3.21 percent from December 2008 revenues of $40.4 million. And Ameristar in East Chicago took in $21.78 million, a 1.73 percent drop from $22.17 million in December 2008.

Overall the five boats in Northwest Indiana raked in $87.27 million in December, representing a 4.19 percent drop in overall revenues.

Casino July revenue % change from 2008

Ameristar $21.78 million down 1.73 percent

Blue Chip $12.87 million up 9.47 percent

Horseshoe $39.10 million down 3.21 percent

Majestic Star I $7.18 million down 25.5 percent

Majestic Star II $6.33 million down 11.08 percent

Combined $87.2 million down 4.19 percent