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The first quarter of the current fiscal year is now in the books for Kansas casinos. For the most part, it’s been a rather unremarkable period. September is a prime example, as revenue at the four properties was again flat compared to the same month in 2022.
However, Kansans were far from indifferent to gambling opportunities during September. They spent more on one segment of the gaming industry in the state than they have in any of the months leading up to September.
Kansas casinos take September in stride
Altogether, Kansas’ four casinos were down marginally in September compared to their same-month 2022 revenue numbers. None of the four properties individually saw a statistically significant drop in that annual comparison.
That changes, however, when you take the entire fiscal year to date into consideration. While the statewide running total is only down a negligible amount compared to FY22-23, three of the four casinos have seen relevant declines.
- Boot Hill Casino: -6.5%
- Kansas Star Casino: -5.1%
- Kansas Crossing Casino: -6.9%
Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is the lone exception. Through the first three months of the current fiscal year, it is experiencing a marginal gain. That casino is in the state’s most populous area, Kansas City.
It’s also crucial to note that FY22-23 was the second-most lucrative fiscal year for Kansas casinos ever. Only FY18-19 saw more casino revenue to date. With nine months left in the current term, the four casinos have work to do if they want to match or surpass either period.
Overall, September 2023 was pedestrian for revenue from poker, slots, and table games in Kansas. Sportsbooks in the state have never been as busy over a month, though.
Kansas sportsbooks see record activity
The return of the NFL regular season did what it was expected to do in Kansas as far as activity at legal sportsbooks in the state went during September. Legal sports betting in the state began in September 2022, so an annual comparison is possible for the first time.
In one regard, September 2023 was unprecedented in the state. Bettors gambled over $219.2 million using the state’s regulated sportsbooks during the month. That is the greatest amount that Kansas sportsbooks have accepted on bets in any single month to date.
However, September 2023 did not reach record heights in the way that matters to sportsbooks. Their gross win was down about 17.5% from September 2022’s $22 million. Win for the books during September 2023 ranks fifth all-time in Kansas.
That gross win translated to about $8 million in taxable revenue according to the Kansas Lottery’s monthly revenue report. The next two months could produce even more, as October and November revenue surpassed September’s total in 2022.
Meanwhile, Kansas casinos will also be looking for better months ahead. At this time, they’re simply treading water.
