PIERRE, S.D. (KWAT) — South Dakota’s video lottery revenues are taking a big hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Quasney is a state economist with the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management.

He says video lottery establishments were closed in accordance with city ordinances and to comply with CDC guidelines.

He says the revenue drop appears to have bottomed out for the week ending April 11, with machine income falling 55-percent short of pre-pandemic averages.

He says the losses have eased somewhat as businesses have begun to slowly reopen.

The South Dakota Lottery is encouraging retailers to continue maintaining operations in accordance with CDC guidelines that keep customers at least 6 feet apart and limit gatherings to 10 or less.