Mississippi’s gross gaming revenues fell to $218 million in October, down about $21 million from September.

Revenues in September were $239 million.

The gross earnings figure represents revenue with no operating costs or other expenses deducted.

Mississippi had gross gaming revenues of $221.4 million in October 2006, according to figures from the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

The coast casinos reported revenues of $97.3 million, down from $111.6 million in September. The Gulf Coast numbers don’t reflect any changes due to the reopening of the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which was on Nov. 1.

The casinos along the Mississippi River, which includes those in Tunica and Vicksburg, reported revenue of $120.6 million, down about $7 million from September.

For the first 10 months of this year, Mississippi casinos have earned $2.43 billion, according to Tax Commission figures.

Gaming tax collections are tracked on the state’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to the next June 30. Casino tax collections in October totaled $30 million, compared to $27 million in September. Tax collections for the first four months of the fiscal year totaled $119.4 million.

On the Net:

Mississippi State Tax Commission, http://www.mstc.state.ms.us