Average short interest among U.S. gaming operators climbed11 basis points to 4.14% of outstanding shares during the first half ofSeptember.

Wynn ResortsLtd. posted the greatest increase in short interest relative toshares outstanding among SNL-covered gaming operators between Aug. 31 and Sept.15.

The percentage of the company's shares held short relativeto shares outstanding rose 94 basis points to 11.71% as of Sept. 15. Thecompany also topped the list of most shorted gaming operators during the period.

Boyd GamingCorp. topped the list of gaming operators with the biggest drops inshort interest in the first half of September. The company saw short interestdecline 37 basis points to 8.63% of shares outstanding at the end of the period.