The Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway saw an increase in April gaming revenues, as state casinos in Kansas continued to rebound, according to figures released on Wednesday at the Kansas Lottery Commission meeting.
Keith Kocher, director of program assurance and integrity for the Kansas Lottery, reported gaming revenues at Hollywood Casino in Wyandotte County were about $12.7 million in April.
One year ago, in April 2020, the casino was closed in response to COVID-19 pandemic shutdown orders, and had no revenue to report. Two years ago, in April 2019, the Hollywood Casino reported revenues of $12.3 million, according to lottery figures.
Kocher said all four state casinos increased revenues for the month of April compared to April 2019. Boot Hill, in Dodge City, Kansas, reported gaming revenues of $4.3 million; Kansas Star, Mulvane, Kansas, reported $15.4 million; and Kansas Crossing Casino, Pittsburg, Kansas, reported $3.4 million.
Together, gaming revenues for all the casinos are down about 9 percent in 2021 compared to fiscal year 2019, he noted.
All the casinos are working hard to get people back in and keep people safe, he said.
Stephen Durrell, lottery executive director, said the state-owned casinos were still operating under the May 2020 reopening guidelines with the state, and there have been some adjustments in the last several weeks. They will continue to make adjustments over the next several weeks, he said. The lottery is trying to make adjustments based on factors including local county requirements.
Durrell also reported a good month for lottery ticket sales.
He said the Kansas Legislature finished its work this year without passing any bills on sports wagering and the i-lottery, although a bill made it to the House floor. Other states have passed some bills on it, and it’s possible the proposed legislation could come back in a future session.
Durrell also said the Kansas Lottery now is working on getting more employees back into the office in June. There was an announcement from the governor today that state employees would return to their offices, coming back from remote work, in mid-June, as everyone has had the opportunity to get a COVID vaccination.
Durrell said employees at the lottery will be phased in gradually. Masks will be mandated for staff and visitors to the office, he said.