Gambling revenue in Nevada opened 2010 still in seemingly inexorable, though slowing, decline as the Nevada Gaming Control Board reported a 3.2 percent drop to just over $883m in January.

Boyd Gaming managed to sharply cut its losses in the fourth quarter, with the help of far fewer charges and “stabilizing” trends in Las Vegas even as the casino operator’s top-line remained in decline.

Fewer charges and brisk business in Macau helped Wynn Resorts seriously trim its fourth-quarter loss even as business metrics in Las Vegas remained under pressure from the general economic malaise.

Declining spend per visit and high unemployment rates in its key markets put Isle of Capri under water in its fiscal third quarter as the casino operator posted a far wider than expected loss.

Cost cuts and strong results from Macau helped Las Vegas Sands overcome continuing weakness in its namesake city and narrow its fourth quarter loss.

Gambling giant MGM Mirage seemingly threw in the sponge in its battle with New Jersey regulators Monday, announcing that it is looking to place its half-interest in the Borgata in Atlantic City in a divestiture trust with an eye toward selling it off.

While the comparisons were almost pitifully easy, a spot of good news came out of Las Vegas and some of the rest of Nevada Tuesday as state regulators reported a modest increase in gambling revenue in November.

The casino at CityCenter’s Aria resort threw open its doors late Wednesday night, marking the near-completion of the $8.5bn mixed-use development on the Las Vegas Strip – and the next stage of a big bet by MGM Mirage and joint venture partner Dubai World.

Declines in gambling continued on the Las Vegas Strip and across Nevada in October as revenue from one of the Silver State’s biggest cash sources fell almost 12 percent for the month.

Huge charges and an ongoing slump in travel to Las Vegas dragged MGM Mirage into the loss column in the third quarter, but the casino giant held up far better than most of its competitors during the period.