The state gained 4,700 jobs in January, including 200 in the Norwich-New London area, according to state Department of Labor figures released today.

But the region reported a loss of 1,100 jobs between January 2012 and the same month this year, the numbers show. It was the highest job-loss statistic from any region in the state.

Andy Condon, director of research for the Labor Department, said in a telephone conference that the region's reliance on shrinking industries such as the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos has held back job growth.

"We don't see that turning around yet," he said.

Condon wouldn't release specific information about casino employment, saying private businesses' job numbers are confidential. But statewide jobs in the government sector, which includes casino employment, fell by 1,500 in January compared with a year earlier and are now 1,800 less than they were a year ago.

The report showed that private-sector jobs grew 6,200 during January and are now 9,700 more than a year ago.

At the same time, the state's unemployment rate fell a tenth of a point to 8.1 percent. The Norwich-New London area, however, maintains a higher 9 percent jobless rate.