Gaming revenues in January fell 12.4 percent statewide and 18.7 percent on the Strip based on a challenging comparison to figures produced by Nevada’s resort industry a year ago.

The Gaming Control Board said Friday that Nevada casinos collected $909.2 million from customers during January, down from $1.038 billion a year ago. On the Strip, casinos won $507 million, compared with $623.5 in the same month of 2012.

January 2012 was the state’s first billion dollar gaming revenue month since September 2008 – a 40-month drought – fueled by the lucrative Chinese New Year holiday celebration.

This year, Chinese New Year, and the high-end baccarat play associated with the event, fell into February.

Because Chinese New Year moves around the calendar, gaming analysts said the combined two-month figures provide a better reading.

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Nevada recorded its second $1 billion gaming revenue month of 2012 during July – the first time in four years the state has seen multiple billion-dollar months – due in large part to a near-record performance in baccarat play.

Nevada casinos collected $1.005 billion from customers during July, according to figures released Monday by the Gaming Control Board.

Revenues increased almost 17 percent from the $860.1 million collected in July 2011.

On the Strip, gaming revenues jumped 27.5 percent to almost $597.5 million, compared to $468.5 million in July 2011.

Baccarat was the driving force behind the revenue increase. Casinos collected $189.9 million gamblers, a jump of 111.8 percent from a year ago. Gamblers wagered $1.2 billion on baccarat during the month, a 28.9 percent increase from a year ago.

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