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Although a small market, Missouri casinos experienced a decline in revenue in June, another sign of the slow summer plaguing the industry.
To make matters worse, this follows a year in which state lawmakers failed to get sports betting up and running.
Missouri casino revenue in June down from May
According to the latest report from the Missouri Gaming Commission, the state’s 13 casinos generated $155 million in June adjusted gross revenue. That’s a 2% increase from the $151 million in June 2022.
As a whole, casinos in Missouri are nearing $2 billion in total AGR. Currently, the industry has generated $1,920,627,526 in revenue.
Although June revenue saw a year-over-year increase, it’s still down from the $160.9 million generated in May.
Unfortunately, when casino revenue is down, so is state tax revenue.
Missouri casinos contributed $32.6 million in tax revenue for the month, down from $33.8 million in May. Year-to-date, casino tax revenue stands at over $403 million.
As for individual properties, Ameristar St. Charles was the top earner in June with $24 million in AGR. Its sister property, Ameristar Kansas City, generated $17 million in AGR.
The top five properties in terms of June AGR are:
- Ameristar St. Charles — $24 million in AGR
- Hollywood Casino — $20.3 million in AGR
- Rivers City Casino — $20.1 million in AGR
- Ameristar Kansas City — $17 million in AGR
- Argosy generated — $13.5 million in AGR
Another year without Missouri sports betting
In the final days of the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have brought sports betting to Missouri.
According to Fox2now, Senate leadership blamed one Republican lawmaker, Sen. Denny Hoskins, for its failure.
“Until that happens, he is solely responsible that we don’t have sports betting in Missouri, no more, no less,” Senate President Caleb Rowden said.
Hoskins continued to argue that sports betting should only be legalized if video lottery terminals (VLT) were also made legal.
“I would say I get blamed for blocking it quite a bit and that’s not the only bill I’ve ever gotten blamed for blocking,” Hoskins said.
“It’s been estimated that there could be anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 of these grey machines in the state of Missouri. If you think you are going to win 2 out of every 100 times that you play, no one is checking that, and no one making sure that yes, someone is winning that amount of times.”
Although Hoskins said he plans to speak with his colleagues over the next year to find common ground, he did say he will file legislation that includes sports betting and VLTs. He is also said to be looking at running for Missouri secretary of state.
