Casino Revenues and Contributions to State Programs Plummet

Maryland’s six casinos took a significant hit in March after all were ordered closed, and in turn, so did the amount of money casinos generate that goes to fund state programs in Maryland.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming said the state’s six casinos generated a total of $94.6 million in March, down 57.9% from March of 2019, when casinos generated a single month record of $163.3 million.

Maryland’s take was $28.3 million, including $21.2 million for the state’s Education Trust Fund. In February, Maryland collected $62.9 million from casinos.

As part of Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 5, all six Maryland casinos were ordered close at midnight March 16, in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The biggest drop in March gaming revenue was at Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino, falling 61.2% to $9.9 million.

Gaming revenue at MGM National Harbor, the largest of the six casinos for gaming revenue, fell 58.6% to $26 million. Live! Casino & Hotel in Arundel Mills saw gaming revenue fall 55.6% from a year earlier, to $24.8 million.

Gaming revenue at the state’s three smaller casinos, Hollywood Casino Perryville, Ocean Downs Casino and Rocky Gap Casino Resort, fell between 58% and 59%.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming posts monthly and year-to-date casino gaming revenue contributions to state programs online.

As part of Maryland Matters’ content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Jeff Clabaugh. Click here for the WTOP News website.

Republish