Kansas Gambling Revenue Drops Sharply in December 2024
The Most Important Points at a Glance:
The Kansas Lottery recorded a significant decline in revenues from sports betting and casino games in December 2024. While total sports betting wagers slightly increased, revenues in both sectors dropped considerably. The retail sports betting segment was particularly affected. In the casino sector, however, there was a mixed performance, with some casinos reporting growth while others faced losses.
Decline in Sports Betting Revenues
Sports betting revenues in Kansas fell to $8.79 million in December 2024, representing a 56.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The retail sports betting segment was hit especially hard, with revenues dropping from $808,961 in December 2023 to just $75,037 in December 2024. Online sports betting also saw a decline of 54.7%.
Interestingly, total sports betting wagers slightly increased – from $259.7 million in December 2023 to $261.3 million in December 2024. Despite this, no sports betting provider was able to report an increase in revenues. This outcome highlights the significant challenges facing the industry, particularly after a strong year in 2023.
Mixed Results in the Casino Sector
In contrast to sports betting, the decline in the casino sector was less severe. Total casino revenues in Kansas amounted to $37.1 million in December 2024, representing a 0.9% decrease compared to the previous year.
However, some casinos achieved positive results. Hollywood Casino reported a 1.3% increase in revenues, reaching nearly $15 million. Kansas Crossing Casino saw an even more significant increase of 5.5%, with revenues climbing to $3.51 million.
You should read that too:
On the other hand, Boot Hill Casino and Kansas Star Casino experienced losses. Boot Hill reported a 5.9% decline to $4.12 million, while Kansas Star saw a 3% drop to $14.5 million.
Comparison with November 2024
The results in December stand in stark contrast to the figures from November 2024. During that month, casino revenues increased by 12.2% compared to the previous year, while sports betting revenues surged by an impressive 185.9%. The sharp decline in December suggests that the gambling industry in Kansas faced challenges as the year drew to a close.
Our Assessment
The Kansas Lottery figures for December 2024 highlight how volatile the gambling industry can be. While total sports betting wagers remained stable, a lower profit margin led to a significant drop in revenues. In the casino sector, the results were more varied, depending on location and offerings.
For players and industry observers, it will be interesting to see how the Kansas market evolves. The coming months will reveal whether the industry can recover from this decline or if further challenges lie ahead.
Sources: None