by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Is the honeymoon over for the Kansas Star Casino in Sumner County?

Whether it is naturally a slow time of the year for the casino or if there is reason for genuine concern, the latest lottery money distribution to Sumner County strongly indicates that business has tapered off and may be slightly declining at the local casino.

Sumner County received its lowest full month distribution from the Kansas State Lottery Commission since the casino opened in December 2011. Sumner County received a $143,988 check from the state in November reflecting October business. The previous low was June 2012 when the county received $144,006 (see figures below). This follows October’s distribution of $144,355 which was the second lowest since the Star opened in December 2011. In January 2012 it received $60,059 but that reflected just one week of business when the casino opened that year.

The Sumner County Treasurer’s office receives a monthly distribution from the state usually around the 10th of each month, based on total amount of revenue generated by the casino. Sumner County receives 1 percent of all Kansas Star receipts as does the city of Mulvane and Sedgwick County.

The last two local government distributions were the lowest monthly totals in 2013 and the lowest since the casino fully expanded in December 2012.

It also marked the first time in the brief Kansas Star Casino history that business decreased from the same month the year before. In October 2012, Sumner County received $147,506 from the state. That is $3,518 more than what was distributed this year.

In September of 2012, the state sent Sumner County a $145,338 check compared to the $144,355 in 2013 for about a $983 decrease. While the distribution deceases are hardly back breaking, it does show that revenue has tapered off despite the new additions to the facility. Up until September of 2013, the casino was experiencing revenue growth every month from the year before.

One should caution whether this is a trend, since this is only for two month revenue figures.

Overall for 2013 Kansas Star Casino is still doing quite well. In fiscal year 2013, the Kansas Star netted $192,187,166 in it first full year of operation from Nov. 1, 2012 to Oct. 31, 2013 (see figures here).

Kansas Star did better than the two other state-run casinos combined, according to the figures by the Kansas Lottery Commission. In fiscal year 2013, Boothill Casino in Dodge City generated $43.35 million in revenue and Hollywood Casino in Kansas City generated $124.9 million. Even this month, Kansas Star is generating more than the other two casinos combined.

Sumner County is already receiving more money from the state in 2013 than it did in 2012. Currently, the county has received $1,792,222 in 2013 – not counting December’s distribution which will reflect November’s business. In 2012, the county received $1,733,892. The county is already ahead $58,330 from last year’s distributions. Of the 10 months where monthly figures can be compared, Sumner County has seen an increase of $105,830.

But if the two month trend continues, Sumner County may need to budget accordingly and plan for less money distribution in 2014.