Missouri Gaming Commission Chairman Mike Leara said the closure of the state’s 13 casinos could result in a revenue loss to the state of $1 million a day.

Leara said that will be a big hit to state finances. “But I don’t think we had any choice in this,” he said.

According to the gaming commission’s website, in fiscal 2019, casinos paid $314.3 million in wages; contributed $364.5 million in direct gaming taxes to state and local governments; and earned $1.73 billion in gross gaming revenue.

The closures came after Leara visited Ameristar. He said he found it as clean as it could be for a public space. But in the interest of safety, Leara said he advised the governor to shutter the facilities.

“The governor’s office was concerned that gatherings of more than 50 people were not in the best interest of the state,” Leara said.