The Missouri Gaming Commission has released its August gaming numbers. The state’s casinos brought in a collective total of $156.4m in adjusted gross revenue (AGR).
This month’s number fell from those posted during July. The state reported a 7.7% decrease month-over-month and a 2.9% drop year-over-year.
Heavy hitters during the month of August included Ameristar Casino, River City Casino and Hollywood Casino, which generated an AGR of $64m, nearly 41% of the state’s total. Ameristar Casino grabbed the top spot for the month, with an AGR of $23.3m.
River City and Hollywood brought in revenue totals of $20.6m and $20m respectively.
The state has posted a year-to-date AGR of $324.8m, reflecting a 1.7% decrease when compared to year-to-date revenue from last year.
Missouri’s casinos contributed a combined total of $68.2m to the state in taxes.
In other state news, Missouri recently joined a small number of US states addressing the question of whether smoking should be permitted within its casinos. Up until now, casinos have been excluded from the current indoor smoking ban that has been in effect countywide since 2011.
St. Louis County has held discussions to consider banning smoking within its casinos. Should the ban pass the County Council, St. Louis County would become the first in Missouri to implement a ban.
For the past three decades, independent casino operators throughout the state have set their own policies regarding smoking in their establishments. Several have opted to designate smoking areas within casino spaces and outdoor locations where smoking is permitted.
Other states besides Nevada have implemented outdoor facilities that allow smoking, including Maryland and Ohio.
