Revenue from Missouri casino gaming dropped 11.9% in January year over year, with a dramatic 15.2% drop in attendance at the state’s 13 casinos. It marked the worst month since February 2021.
According to the Missouri Gaming Commission report released this week, total adjusted gross revenue was $135.4 million in January.
Compared to December, the January casino figures were even more disappointing: a 19.9% decrease in revenue, with casino admissions down more than half a million. Casinos paid around $25.6 million in tax revenue earmarked for the state’s Gaming Proceeds to Education fund.
Win-per-patron number actually better YoY in January
The bad casino numbers come at a time when lawmakers are debating the legalization of Missouri sports betting. A group representing professional sports teams is also currently collecting signatures to get a referendum legalizing sports betting on November’s ballot.
Since industry revenue is correlated to tax revenue, a dip in casino tax revenue could give legislators extra motivation to expand the state’s gambling industry.
In spite of the poor start to 2024, Missouri casinos were more efficient in January. Their win-per-patron figure was $133.32 in January, which was 3% better than January 2023.
On the other hand, slot machine hold was down 3.6% year-over-year, and table games hold was even worse, with a 9.6% drop compared to January 2023.
Ameristar St. Charles led state in January casino revenue
The Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles led the Show Me State in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) in January at $21.6 million. That outpaced River City Casino Hotel, located in Lemay, which reported $18 million in January. Third place was Hollywood Casino & Hotel St. Louis, whose revenue was less than $30,000 behind River City.
The previous low in AGR for Missouri casinos in the 2023/24 fiscal year was last November’s $147.6 million.
Here is the adjusted gross revenue at Missouri’s casinos in January:
- Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles: $21.6 million
- River City Casino Hotel: $18 million
- Hollywood Casino & Hotel St. Louis: $18 million
- Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City: $14.1 million
- Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa: $12.4 million
- Harrah’s Kansas City: $11.3 million
- Horseshoe St. Louis: $11 million
- Bally’s Casino Kansas City: $9.4 million
- Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Boonville: $6 million
- Century Casino Cape Girardeau: $4.8 million
- Century Casino Caruthersville: $3.4 million
- St. Jo Frontier Casino: $3.3 million
- Mark Twain Casino: $2.2 million
All 13 of the Missouri casinos reported year-over-year declines, most above 10%. Hollywood Casino St. Louis had the least decline at 4.5%.