TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The Kansas Lottery has announced all state-owned casinos will be closed starting Tuesday evening.
“After consultation with the Kansas Governor’s Office and the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, the Kansas Lottery has announced suspension of all state-owned casino gaming starting end of business on March 17, 2020, until at least March 30, 2020,” a lottery official said in a news release.
The decision was made following Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order to ban gatherings of more than 50 people in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The four casinos in Kansas with state-owned gaming are the Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, the Kansas Crossing in Pittsburg, the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, and Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City.
“The health and safety of casino guests and employees is of the utmost importance, ” the official said in a news release. “The Lottery understands the impact this decision will have on both players and employees, but the State must be dedicated to doing its part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Kansas communities.”
Kansas has reported 12 confirmed cases of the virus. Eight cases are in Johnson County. Ford, Butler and Franklin counties each have one case, and there was also a fatal case in Wyandotte County. As of Monday, 234 Kansas patients have tested negative for the virus.
The KDHE is updating the number of positive and negative testing results for COVID-19 at kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
