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.