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The Maryland Lottery and Gaming (MLG) reported that the state’s six casinos garnered $173.15 million in revenue from slot machines and table games during May. May’s revenue represents the ninth-best single-month total in the state’s casino program’s history.
Key takeaways:
- Maryland casino revenue in May represents a monthly and annual increase and is the second highest this year.
- Three out of six MD casinos saw a yearly revenue drop, while only one location reported a decrease from April.
- State legislators attempted to legalize online casinos but will likely wait until 2026 to make another push.
May casino revenue in Maryland is the second-best this year
While Maryland casino revenue in May represents a 2.2% annual jump, it shows monthly progress of 6.13% from MD gaming revenue in April 2024 of $163.2 million.
May revenue is also the second highest this year, after March:
- January: $153,243,316
- February: $159,226,677
- March: $178,137,823
- April: $163,150,675
- May: $173,152,961
Maryland casinos contributed $74.4 million in tax revenue to the state during May, a 6.6% monthly rise and a 5.1% annual increase. In May, contributions to the state’s Education Trust Fund of $53.66 million was a 6.57% monthly increase and up 4.2% year-over-year.
MGM National Harbor remains on top
The MLG’s May 2024 revenue report revealed that MGM National Harbor was once again the top revenue earner, surpassing $72 million.
Of the state’s six privately owned casinos, three locations showed yearly progress in revenue – MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel and Hollywood Casino. Here’s how much each Maryland casino won during May 2024 and how it compares to last year:
- MGM National Harbor: $72.27 million, a 0.8% increase from May 2023
- Live! Casino & Hotel: $65.03 million, an annual increase of 10.3%
- Horseshoe Casino: $14.72 million, a 15.9% decrease from May 2023
- Ocean Downs Casino: $8.35 million, a 0.6% yearly drop
- Hollywood Casino: $7.81 million, a 2.7% rise from May 2023
- Rocky Gap Casino: $4.97 million, a 4.9% decrease from last year
As for the monthly comparison, only Hollywood Casino reported a decrease in May revenue (-1.55%). The remaining five locations saw a month-over-month increase, with Rocky Gap Casino seeing the biggest change from April (16.36% increase) and Horseshoe Casino showing the smallest difference (0.33%).
Maryland online casinos will likely wait until 2026 to make another push
Maryland came very close to passing online casino legislation this year, but the bill sponsor, Sen. Ron Watson, said he won’t be looking to build on that momentum next year.
Legalizing Maryland online casinos must have approval from voters in a general election. Not passing a referendum to put that question in front of voters this fall means the next opportunity to get voter approval will be in 2026.
There is still a chance that the House bill sponsor, Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, or someone else in the state legislature, will introduce an online casino bill in 2025. But Maryland will likely postpone that debate for a year and return for a push in 2026.
