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LL Cool J once said, “Don’t call it a comeback.” While July revenue at Missouri casinos could hardly be viewed as a comeback, it is a step in the right direction leading into Fall.
For the month, Missouri casinos generated $168.5 million in adjusted gross revenue, up from June but slightly down year-over-year.
Missouri casinos bounce back in July
The state’s 13 casinos generated $155 million in adjusted gross revenue in June. Thus, the increase in July revenue is a welcomed sight for a small market like Missouri.
According to the latest report from the Missouri Gaming Commission, the casino market is down roughly 1% YOY. The industry generated $169.3 million in revenue during the same period last year.
As for state taxes, Missouri collected $35.4 million in July gaming tax revenue, up from the $32 million collected last month.
Ameristar St. Charles was once again the top performer for the month, taking in over $25 million in revenue.
The top five properties in terms of July AGR are:
- Ameristar St. Charles — $26 million in AGR
- Hollywood Casino — $22.3 million in AGR
- Rivers City Casino — $22.2 million in AGR
- Ameristar Kansas City — $18 million in AGR
- Harrahs Kansas City — $15.3 million in AGR
No compromise on sports betting
Speaking with PlayUSA, Missouri Sen. Denny Hoskins said his fight to legalize video lottery terminals (VLTs) will continue.
Senate leadership blamed Hoskins for blocking a bill to legalize Missouri sports betting so long as VLTs were included.
“Am I the only one standing in the way of sportsbook passing? No, I am not,” Hoskins said.
“Do I get all the blame? Yes, I do. And that’s fine. It doesn’t bother me. But there are a lot of people who feel the same way I do.”
Hoskins sees regulated VLTs as a way to create dedicated funding for veterans’ homes and cemeteries.
“I think we supplemented our veterans homes and cemeteries about $50 million this year because the casino admission fees have dropped,” Hoskins said.
“So that’s something for which I’ve been looking to find a dedicated funding source. The video lottery terminals would provide about $15-to-20 million of that dedicated funding source. However, sports betting would not provide any.”
