Gamblers playing in Louisiana's state-licensed casinos lost $2.55 billion during the state's last fiscal year, continuing a trend of more play that kicked in after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Riverboat casinos took in $1.78 billion for the year ending June 30, while Harrah's New Orleans land casino won $398.9 million, state police reported Tuesday. Slot machine casinos at Louisiana's three race tracks won $365.9 million.

During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, which included the start of a gambling boom after the storms, the casinos took in $2.38 billion. For the 2004-05 fiscal year, the tally was $2.22 billion.

Along with the jump in play, the state also saw its coffers fattened.

For the just-ended fiscal year, state casino taxes totaled $522.5 million, up from $508.5 million for 2005-06 and $453.3 million for 2004-05.

In June, the casinos won $219.6 million, up from $213.6 million in June 2006 and $196.1 million in June 2005. The latest month's total included $156.3 million from 13 riverboats, $33.1 million from Harrah's New Orleans and $30.2 million from track casinos at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs.

Not included are the three Indian reservation casinos in Louisiana, which are not licensed and taxed by the state and are not required to report their winnings publicly.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)