Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway reported gaming revenues of $8.45 million for the month of June, according to a report to the Kansas Lottery Commission on Wednesday afternoon.
One year ago, in June 2019, the Hollywood Casino reported total gaming revenues of $12.3 million
Keith Kocher, the Kansas Lottery’s director of program assurance and integrity, reported that the four state-owned casinos’ revenues were down 17 to 21 percent for the fiscal year. The casinos were closed for about two months because of COVID-19, with Hollywood Casino reopening May 25.
In June, Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City reported $3 million; Kansas Star Casino at Mulvane, Kansas, reported $12.9 million; and Kansas Crossing Casino at Pittsburg, Kansas, reported $2.4 million, Kocher said.
Kocher said the casinos were operating under reduced capacities in May and June, and he commended everyone involved with doing as much as possible under trying circumstances.
Kocher said while there were fewer people at the casinos during this period, they were spending more.
When the Hollywood Casino and other state-owned casinos reopened in late May, they instituted social distancing, spacing out the games, with fewer machines available, and also had other rules in effect concerning dining. A mandatory mask order then went into effect June 30.
The casinos are a source of revenue for governments. Under state law, the Unified Government receives 3 percent of the gaming proceeds from the Hollywood Casino. The state’s share is 22 percent.
On June 12, the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway submitted a WARN document to KansasWorks, stating it might lay off 218 employees. The law requires a 60-day notice. (https://www.kansasworks.com/ada/mn_warn_dsp.cfm?id=2094&callingfile=mn_warn_dsp.cfm&hash=2C81647DD07B843C090E1E7EBEC39CF5)