Kansas City, Missouri — March was a tough month at the tables for Missouri’s gamblers as the state’s casinos took in record revenues.

The 11 casinos operating in Kansas City, St. Louis and other locations reported USD 148.6 million in revenues for the month, up significantly from the previous record of USD 143.17 million generated during the same period a year ago.

Kansas City’s four riverboat casinos reported revenues of USD 66.8 million, breaking the previous record of USD 64.4 million set a year ago.

March is gambling’s biggest month, especially in Kansas City, with income tax refunds, spring weather coaxing out tourists, and thousands of collegiate basketball fans in town for tournaments.

The calendar also provided an additional March weekend this year.

Individual casinos also boasted new records, including Harrah’s Maryland Heights in St. Louis, which generated USD 29.1 million. The previous single-boat record had been USD 28.5 million, set at the same casino.

Ameristar St. Charles reported USD 28.4 million, marking the state’s third-highest boat total ever.

Both casinos are within reach of earning at least USD 1 million per day, but two new casinos scheduled to open this year and in 2008 are expected to slice into those numbers.

Kansas City casinos set their own records, albeit smaller than their St. Louis counterparts.

Ameristar Kansas City Casino and Hotel set the local record at USD 23.3 million. The big win off gamblers came despite a smaller number of visitors, which officials blamed on corporate changes to cut down on rewards programs for players.