The casino industry’s top trade association
The three state-owned casinos in Kansas contributed $673 million to the state’s economy and supported approximately 4,000 jobs in 2013, according to a study commissioned by the casino industry’s top trade association.
The impact included about $148 million in total labor income and about $193 million in total tax revenue, according to the study.
It was conducted by Oxford Economics, based in Oxford, England, on behalf of the American Gaming Association, which represents casino operators and manufacturers. Kansas was one of 23 states examined in detail. Some of the state studies have yet to be released.
The state studies expand on the AGA’s national “Get to Know Gaming” campaign intended to promote the benefits of casino gambling. Casinos nationally injected $240 billion into the economy and supported about 1.7 million jobs, Oxford researchers said.
In states with a similar number of casinos, Kansas’ $673 million impact ranked between Delaware’s $726 million from three casinos and New Mexico’s $382.8 million from five casinos.
“It was a big number, even given the relative infancy of the industry in Kansas,” said Chris Moyer, director of media relations for the AGA. “When we looked at the report for each state, even we were surprised to see just how large the industry is and how wide-ranging the impact is.”