The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission has released its latest monthly revenue report showing that the state’s casinos combined to generate $154.9 million in gaming revenue throughout the month of October.
The latest figures represent a 6.3% drop in revenue from the previous month but an 8.6% increase on October 2020’s revenue. However, the commission’s report also notes that casinos were operating at 50% capacity during October 2020 due to the global pandemic.
October saw casinos contribute more than $68.9 million in taxes and fees to the state, the same amount paid in September despite generating lower revenues. Over $50 million of that figure went directly to the Education Trust Fund, roughly the same as the previous month. Contributions to the state for October were up 15% on the same period in 2020.
The monthly report also gives a detailed breakdown of revenues by casino:
- Live! Casino & Hotel — $60,817,605 up 22.7% from October 2020
- MGM National Harbor — $55,882,049 down -1.2% from October 2020
- Horseshoe Casino — $17,180,270 down -0.9% from October 2020
- Ocean Downs Casino — $7,664,457 up 10.3% from October 2020
- Hollywood Casino — $7,639,030 up 9.0% from October 2020
- Rocky Gap Casino — $5,795,487up 10.5% from October 2020
As reported last month, Maryland’s Commission was due to meet during October to discuss the launch of its sports betting industry and the approval of the 17 operators/locations that were initially allowed to submit an application. While there were hopes that the industry could launch by the end of 2021, this has since been pushed back to early 2022.
Following the meeting, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency Director John Martin said in a statement:
“We’re obviously disappointed by the lack of progress in yesterday’s SWARC meeting, but we’re pleased that we’ve moved forward in other areas. At this point, we are hoping to make the NFL playoffs in January and the Super Bowl in February.”
The statement also revealed that five sports betting operators and their casino partners have been approved and are now waiting for their licenses to be issued.
The five operator/casino partnerships that were approved are:
- Barstool Sports/Hollywood Casino in Perryville
- Caesars Sportsbook/Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore
- FanDuel Sportsbook/Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover
- BetMGM/MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill
- TwinSpires/Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin
The operators could receive their licenses as early as November 18th allowing for an industry launch on January 1st 2022. Online casino gambling isn’t legal at present in the state.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.