da state poker rooms collected a combined total of $8.9m for the month of May, according to figures released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The amount represents a 0.38% increase compared to the prior-year period.

There were 62 poker rooms with 724 tables during May 2017, a decrease from May 2016’s 755 tables between 67 rooms. Moreover, although there was a decrease in rooms this year, poker revenue per table nonetheless increased.

Monte Carlo, which had eight tables, was one of the five poker rooms to close in the past year, as was the nine-table room at the Luxor. The three-table poker room at Hard Rock closed in March.

The majority of Nevada’s poker revenue was generated in and around the Las Vegas Strip, with its 18 rooms and 398 tables taking in $5.7m during May, up slightly compared to the prior-year period. Poker on the Las Vegas Strip accounted for 65% of the state’s total.

The World Series of Poker kicked off 31 May at the Rio Hotel and Casino.