Gamblers lost $232.9 million at Mississippi’s state-licensed casinos in March, an increase from February, but a total that lagged about $28 million behind March 2008.

That’s according to the Mississippi State Tax Commission. In February, the casinos won $216.5 million, while the March 2008 tally was $260.6 million.

The agency said casinos on the Gulf Coast took in $101.8 million last month, compared with $99.6 million in February, but down from $120.8 million in March 2008.

Casinos along the Mississippi River won $131.1 million last month, up from $116.9 million in February and down from $139.8 million in March 2008.

Mississippi’s state casino tax total was $31.8 million in March.