While a sputtering economic climate has left nearby competitors floundering, both the casino and simulcast-racing businesses at Gulfstream Park are registering significant increases over last year’s numbers.

            Gulfstream Park’s casinos rang up a second-quarter slot-win gain of 8.3%, with coin-in growing 3.5%.

            Those numbers compare favorably to figures posted by the state’s other racinos, Mardi Gras (formerly the Hollywood Dog Track) and Pompano Park, each of which posted startlingly negative figures over the same period: Mardi Gras declined 18.6% in slot-win and 22% in coin-in, while Pompano Park plummeted 14.6% and 19%, respectively.

            Mardi Gras is less than two miles from Gulfstream Park; Pompano is about 18 miles away.

            Gulfstream Park’s increased business is also in marked contrast to declining state trends: Net gaming during the month of July in Florida dropped 9.1%.

            Slot-win and coin-in figures are reported, and confirmed, by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the regulatory body for pari-mutuel casinos in the State of Florida.

            Michael Pollock’s Gaming Industry Observer said in its most recent edition, “The percentage gulf between these racinos is attributable, in part, to a commitment to keeping the slot floor fresh.”

            GIO also credited Gulfstream Park and Gaming Vice President Steve Calabro with making “some tough decisions” regarding the type of games on offer and light footedness in responding to their rise and fall in popularity among guests.

            Mr. Calabro said, “We’ve achieved these results by offering our customers ‘the latest and greatest’ slot machines; fun and exciting marketing promotions on a daily basis; a safe and clean environment in which to play, great guest service and great jackpot payouts.”

            Meanwhile, the simulcasting business has been firing on all cylinders, and this past weekend’s numbers put it ahead of last year’s pace.

            “It’s a significant achievement,” said Gulfstream Park President and General Manager Bill Murphy. “The amount of money bet on horse racing is down at practically every racetrack in the country, except at Gulfstream Park. We were up at our live meet, which concluded April 23, and we’re up with our ongoing simulcast product.

            “Making this all the more significant is the fact that, in 2008, we were the only racetrack in South Florida to offer betting on the Kentucky Derby.  While it ‘padded’ last year’s numbers, this year we had competition, competition that took more than $1 million away in handle. It’s remarkable that we’ve recouped that revenue in such a short period of time.”