Month: November 2019

Hollywood Casino records its best October gaming revenues ever

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway reported the best October ever for gaming revenues, according to Kansas Lottery officials.

The casino in Kansas City, Kansas, reported $12.375 million in gaming revenues for October, said Keith Kocher, director of program assurance and integrity for the Kansas Lottery, during Wednesday’s Kansas Lottery Commission meeting.

This compares to $11.8 million in gaming revenues for October 2018 at Hollywood Casino, for an increase of 4.2 percent, according to lottery records.

October 2019 figures also were higher than September 2019, when Hollywood Casino reported $11.8 million in gaming revenues.

In a written report to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, Hollywood Casino stated that October promotions included a NASCAR weekend at the nearby Kansas Speedway; a $75,000 Hollywood Casino 400 giveaway; and the Oct. 20 Party on the Patio.

In November, the Hollywood Casino plans the “Winning Hand” promotion on Fridays, and a Tippins Pie Giveaway on Nov. 27.

The Unified Government receives 3 percent of the gaming revenues from Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, and the state of Kansas receives 22 percent.

Kocher said this was also the best October ever for the Kansas Crossing casino near Pittsburg, Kansas.

In other action, Stephen Durrell, Kansas Lottery executive director, said the sales numbers are down for Powerball and Mega Millions recently because of a lack of large jackpots, as compared to last year.

He said states all over the nation are facing the same situation, as Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots have not grown large recently.

On Wednesday, the Powerball jackpot was $60 million and the Mega Millions jackpot was $178 million. Last year, jackpots went over $500 million, driving high ticket sales.

Kansas has a Holiday Millionaire Raffle currently underway, and there are still more than 100,000 tickets that remain. The raffle goes through New Year’s.

According to lottery officials, the sales of Powerball and Mega Millions tickets could be affecting the sales of Holiday Millionaire Raffle tickets, as Powerball and Mega Millions drive traffic for the other games.

Durrell said there are several upcoming promotions for the Holiday Millionaire Raffle, which is a $20 ticket, and there are always strong sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. He was confident that sales would improve.

KCKCC women improve to 5-1; Lindsey Classic Friday, Saturday

In addition to a career-high 24 points, sophomore guard Brodi Byrd had six rebounds, five steals and five assists in a 95-78 win over Park University’s Developmental team Tuesday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young women’s basketball team turned in a “Jekyll and Dr. Hyde” performance in a 95-78 win over Park University’s Developmental team Tuesday.

On one hand, the Blue Devils forced 21 turnovers, many of which came off a dozen steals that were turned into easy breakaway layups and accounted for at least a third of the KCKCC offense.

But the Blue Devils were also outscored 49-48 in a second half that saw the Lady Pirates knock down 18 of 35 shots for 51.4 percent shooting, easily the most points given up in any half this season.

“Disappointing,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “This was not a performance that is reflective of what this program is about. Our effort of defensive and offensive execution is going to get us beat on most nights. It’s simply inexcusable.”

The Blue Devils had 18 turnovers and although the easy transition baskets enabled them to shoot 50.7 percent (38-of-75) from the field, they were just 9-of-34 for a chilly 26.5 percent from 3-point and 10-of-22 (.455) from the foul line.

“We were sloppy and undetailed and those are things we specifically watched on film from our loss this past weekend and that we wanted to correct,” McKinstry said.

On the plus side, the Blue Devils got a career-high 24 points from their lone veteran, 5-6 guard Brodi Byrd, who was 10-of-15 from the field including 4-of-7 treys. She also led in steals with five, shared the rebounding lead with six and handed out five assists.

Byrd provided the shot of the game, a mid-court 45-footer at the buzzer that helped KCKCC expand a 16-14 lead to 23-14 after one quarter. The Blue Devils were in front 47-29 at the half.

Freshman Alieyya Jones had her best night with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting and Kamryn Estell had five assists and four rebounds to go along with 12 points.

Nine of 10 Blue Devils had at least five points with Adoreya Williams adding 9, Tiaira Earnest 8 and Jada Mayberry 7.

KCKCC won the rebounding battle 47-35 with four Blue Devils sharing the lead with six – Byrd, Earnest, Alliyah Myers and Mercer Roberts. Diamond Williams led in assists with six.

“It feels good to be 5-1 at this point but we know we have to get better if we want to put ourselves in position to compete at the end of the season,” McKinstry said.

The Blue Devils are home for the last time in November this weekend when they play host to Southwestern Iowa (3-3) Friday at 6 p.m. and North Central Missouri (4-2) Saturday at 4 p.m. in the annual Keith Lindsey Classic. The KCKCC men will play Cowley College Friday at 8 p.m. and North Central Missouri Saturday at 6 p.m. The tournament schedule:

Friday – Fort Scott women vs. North Central Missouri, 2 p.m.; Labette men vs. North Central Missouri, 4 p.m.; KCKCC women vs. Southwestern (Iowa), 6 p.m.; KCKCC men vs. Cowley, 8 p.m.

Saturday – Fort Scott women vs. Southwestern, noon; Labette men vs. Cowley, 2 p.m.; KCKCC women vs. North Central Missouri, 4 p.m.; KCKCC men vs. North Central Missouri, 6 p.m.

Freshman Kamryn Estell outmaneuvered three Park University defenders for two of her 12 points in KCKCC’s 95-78 win over the Pirates Tuesday. Estell also had five assists and four rebounds. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)