February was a good month for state-owned casino gaming revenues, and the revenues were helped by an extra day in the month.
According to Keith Kocher, director of program assurance and integrity for the Kansas Lottery, said gaming revenues at Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, and the other state-owned casinos last month were some of the best ever reported for February.
The Leap Day in February – Feb. 29 – helped, especially since it was on a Saturday, according to Kocher.
But even without a Leap Day, Kocher said casino gaming revenues showed an increase over last February, according to an analysis.
Hollywood Casino reported gaming revenues of $13.9 million during February 2020, according to Kocher. It reported $11.9 million in gaming revenues for February 2019.
It was the best February in the past five years, he said.
Gaming revenues for February from other state-owned casinos were $3.4 million for Boot Hill Casino, Dodge City, Kansas; $16.2 million for Kansas Star Casino, Mulvane, Kansas; and $3.1 million for Kansas Crossing Casino, Pittsburg, Kansas.
In a written report to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, Hollywood Casino reported admissions were up 21.6 percent in February 2020, compared to February 2019. Slot revenues were up 18.9 percent, while table games revenue was relatively flat, a decrease of three-tenths of one percent, according to the report.
Hollywood Casino reported special February events including a winners’ giveaway, VIP high limit pull party, “Blizzards of Cash” and “Mardi Gras Bash for Cash,” plus a Millionaire Slot Tournament.
The casino also has several promotions planned for March, including a winners’ giveaway on March 28 and “$250,000 risky bonus” event March 27.
The Unified Government receives 3 percent of the Hollywood Casino gaming revenues, while the state of Kansas receives 22 percent.
As public health professionals work to contain the spread of coronavirus, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., outlined steps that Congress, as well as Kansas’ legislature, could take today to protect the livelihood of workers, families and small businesses across the United States.
“Public health officials are working hard to mitigate and contain the spread of the coronavirus, and that must remain a priority. As policy makers, we have a responsibility to not only address the impact this virus has on public health and safety, but also the impact it has on the financial security of families, workers, and businesses across the country. Today I’m outlining measures that should be taken right now to lessen those impacts and support our families,” Rep. Davids said in a news release.
These include:
Medicaid expansion
“Rural hospitals and health clinics – which serve as the first line of defense during public health crises – have been closing across Kansas due to the state’s previous failure to expand Medicaid. The Kansas legislature should build on the progress they’ve made and act quickly to pass a Medicaid expansion bill. It would provide quality, affordable health care for an estimated 150,000 additional Kansans, and provide critical support for rural hospitals to help keep their doors open.
“Congress should support this action by passing legislation I’ve long pushed for, the Incentivizing Medicaid Expansion Act, which would increase federal support for states like Kansas that expand Medicaid.
Paid sick leave – small business tax credits
“More than 30 million people in the United States lack access to paid sick leave, many of whom work low-wage jobs that require close contact with the public, like restaurant workers or health care aides. They shouldn’t have to choose between their health and collecting a paycheck that supports their families.
“In order to ease financial hardship and reduce the spread of the virus, Congress should support paid sick leave for workers. And in order to support small businesses – which are the backbone of our communities – Congress should implement a paid sick leave tax credit for businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
Tax relief
“During times of economic uncertainty, it’s often the middle class and vulnerable communities that suffer the most. In any economic package that Congress puts forward, we must prioritize the needs of families and our most vulnerable populations by providing them with tax relief. This helps to put money back into the hands of the people who need it most.
Food security
“Millions of children in the United States receive free or reduced lunches through their public school. If schools shut down across the country, these children risk losing access to food and proper nutrition altogether. Congress should expand SNAP, WIC, school lunch and other initiatives to support families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to feed their children.
“There are many more legislative actions Congress can and should take to mitigate the effects of coronavirus on our families and economy, all of which should focus on protecting the middle class and vulnerable communities. As we move forward, I’m committed to working with members of Congress in both parties, as well as the President, to provide relief to families, support workers and businesses, and ease economic fallout,” Rep. Davids said.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced today that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will provide $5.9 million to Kansas to support response efforts to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“State and local health departments are on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are deeply grateful for their work,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said ni a news release. “CDC is distributing this new funding extremely rapidly, as called for by Congress. President Trump, and his entire administration will continue working to ensure state and local jurisdictions have the resources they need to keep Americans safe and healthy.”
“Our state, local, tribal and territorial public health partners are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. The action we are taking today will continue to support their efforts to increase public health capacity where it’s needed most,” Dr. Robert R. Redfield, CDC director, said. “These funds will allow public health leaders to implement critical steps necessary to contain and mitigate spread of the virus in communities across the country.”
On Friday, March 6, the President signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020. The supplemental contains $8.3 billion government-wide, with resources directed for grants or cooperative agreements to states, localities, territories, and tribes to accelerate planning and operational readiness for COVID-19 preparedness and response, as well as develop tools and strategies, provide technical assistance and program support, as well as ensure ongoing communication and coordination among public health agencies and partners throughout the response.
Today, CDC is contacting state health officers to move forward with awarding over $560 million to states, localities, territories, and tribes. CDC will use existing networks to reach out to state and local jurisdictions to access this initial funding.
Missouri will receive $9.8 million from this grant.
Besides awards to the states, five communities are being awarded grants: New York City, $19.6 million; Los Angeles County, $20.9 million; Chicago, $10.4 million; Houston, $5 million; and Philadelphia, $3.5 million.
