Month: November 2021

Hollywood Casino sees best October ever

Casino gaming revenues saw the best October ever at Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway, according to a Kansas Lottery Commission report Wednesday.

Keith Kocher, director of program assurance and integrity for the Kansas Lottery, reported that October revenues at Hollywood Casino were $12.57 million.

It was the highest casino gaming revenues ever for October at Hollywood Casino, he said.

Admissions to Hollywood Casino in October were up 23.9 percent compared to October of 2020, according to a written report by Rick Skinner, vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino, to the Kansas Gaming and Racing Commission.

Skinner reported an increase of 34 percent in slot revenues and an increase of 53.5 percent in table games revenues in October.

The Hollywood Casino held promotions with the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 29, and also had several other promotions.

Promotions being planned for the future at the Hollywood Casino include a pie giveaway Nov. 24, a $25K “Gobble Up the Cash” promotion Nov. 26; a Holiday Kick-Off event Nov. 27; and a $30K Winners Party on Dec. 4.

Kocher also reported Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City at $4.2 million and Kansas Crossing Casino near Pittsburg, Kansas, at $3.2 million had their best Octobers ever, and it was great to see the rebound, he said.

However, Kansas Star Casino near Mulvane, Kansas, had gaming revenues of $13.7 million for October, down about 8 percent for slot revenue, he said.

Kocher said the revenues were fairly flat at Kansas Star Casino. The casino has competition to the south over the Oklahoma border. He said revenues at Kansas Star were not as bad as had been anticipated, however.

For the month of October, casinos had five Fridays, five Saturdays and five Sundays they were open.

The Unified Government receives 3 percent of the Hollywood Casino gaming revenues, as a gaming tax. The casinos pay about 22 percent of gaming revenues to the state of Kansas.

No. 1 Cowley comebacks end KCKCC volleyball season

No. 1 ranked Cowley County ended Kansas City Kansas Community College’s volleyball season Saturday but the unbeaten Tigers had to overcome early Blue Devil leads in each of three sets in a 3-0 sweep.

The Blue Devils led 14-13 in the first set and after Cowley had gone ahead 20-16, KCKCC closed to 22-20 before dropping a 25-22 decision.

KCKCC led the second set 7-5 and after falling behind 15-9, rallied to 23-20 before the Tigers prevailed 25-20. The Blue Devils also led the third set 13-12 only to have Cowley score nine of the next 10 points in a 25-19 win.

“We fought very hard in the championship match, played well and had opportunities to put ourselves in a successful position but could not capitalize at the end,” KCKCC coach Mary Bruno-Ballou said. “It was an excellent year and I’m very proud of this team. As a group, we worked for a common goal and made it to the championship game.”

The loss in the NJCAA Plains championship game closed out a 22-11 season for KCKCC while Cowley improved to 38-0 in earning a berth in the NJCAA Division II national tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nov. 18-20. The title game was played at Friends University in Wichita.

“I thought we battled very well against a very tough KCKC team,” Cowley coach Steven Gream said. “We overcame some mistakes and continued to play for each other.” Gream credited a large vocal following with helping with the Tigers’ comebacks.

“I couldn’t even talk to the players because of how loud the crowd was,” he said. “I thought they really put a lot of pressure on KCK.”

COVID vaccinations for kids available at former Kmart facility

Wednesday, Nov. 10, was the first full day the Unified Government Health Department was offering free COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages 5-11 at the former Kmart facility, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 vaccinations at the former Kmart facility.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Families will fill out a short intake form while they wait in line.

Pediatric nurses with experience working with young children will be on site to help with COVID vaccines for kids.

After receiving their vaccinations, children need to wait for 15 minutes in the observation area.

The Health Department will work with schools to offer other COVID vaccine opportunities for kids ages 5-11 in November and December.

For more information about vaccines, visit wycovaccines.org or call 311.
Other vaccine locations are at vaccines.gov.