The casino industry in Missouri had a great October, thanks to higher electronic gaming revenue and improvements across most riverboat properties. These results come as the state prepares to begin allowing legal online and retail sports betting on Dec. 1. Operators are finalizing partnerships and adding more ways to bet on site.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri casinos recorded $164.9 million in October revenue, up 9% year on year.
- Electronic gaming devices generated most of the growth, rising 11% to $143.5 million.
- The state's Dec. 1 sports betting launch is prompting new operator partnerships and heightened oversight concerns.
The casinos, which will be able to participate in Missouri sports betting, reported $164.9 million in revenue for October, a 9% annual increase, according to figures published by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Electronic gaming devices produced $143.5 million, marking an 11% year-on-year gain and serving as the main source of growth. In contrast, table games declined 3% year-on-year to $21.4 million, but this decrease had a minimal impact on overall revenue gains.
Riverboat casinos also saw consistent improvement last month, with 11 of the 13 properties reporting year-on-year gains. Century Casino and Hotel Caruthersville led the group with a 61% rise in revenue, while Ameristar St. Charles recorded the highest revenue for the month at $25.2 million. The only two casinos to report declines were Century Casino and Hotel Cape Girardeau, with a 6% drop, and Bally’s Kansas City, which declined slightly at 1%.
The results arrive as operators prepare for sports betting, creating momentum ahead of the December launch. Several properties have already formed partnerships with sportsbook operators, including Fanatics and ESPN Bet, which is set to transition to theScore Bet upon launch under PENN Entertainment's leadership.
Forecasts also indicate that sports betting could generate more than $3.8 billion in wagers during its first year. Industry analysts expect increased casino visitation as bettors combine wagering with traditional gaming. The sector's growth coincides with approvals for two major casino projects on Lake Ozark.
