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Maryland’s six privately owned casinos generated almost $163.2 million in revenue from slot machines and table games during April, according to Maryland Lottery and Gaming’s (MLG) latest revenue report.
The April revenue figure represents a 6.6% drop compared to April 2023 and an 8.41% decrease from Maryland’s March 2024 gaming revenue, which reached $178.14 million. Despite the monthly drop, April revenue is still higher than Maryland’s January and February monthly totals.
Maryland online casinos have not been legalized, but the state did come close to passing online casino legislation in 2024. Apart from retail casinos, the state also offers online sports betting but issues a separate report.
Key takeaways:
- While all casinos showed a monthly decrease in revenue, Hollywood Casino was the only venue to report an increase in revenue from April 2023.
- Casino gaming contributions to the state and the Education Trust Fund during April 2024 fell monthly and yearly.
- Old Line State had a chance to legalize online casinos this year, but the senate sponsor said he won’t file a Maryland online casino bill in 2025.
Maryland’s Hollywood Casino was the sole venue with yearly progress in April
The MLG April 2024 revenue report revealed that MGM National Harbor was once again the top revenue earner.
Of the state’s six privately owned casinos, Hollywood Casino was the only place to show yearly progress in revenue. Here’s how much each Maryland casino won during April:
- MGM National Harbor: $68.1 million, a 9.8% annual decrease
- Live! Casino & Hotel: $60.9 million, a 1.9% year-over-year decrease
- Horseshoe Casino: $14.7 million, a 10.8% decline from April 2023
- Hollywood Casino: $7.9 million, a 6.0% yearly increase
- Ocean Downs Casino: $7.3 million, a 7.6% decrease from April 2023
- Rocky Gap Casino: $4.3 million, a 20.6% annual drop
As for the monthly comparison, all six casinos reported an April revenue decline. Ocean Downs Casino reported the smallest (2.7%) monthly change, while Horseshoe Casino showed the biggest monthly decrease, nearly 15.2%.
Casino gaming contributions fall year-over-year
Casino gaming contributions to the state during April totaled $69.8 million, a 3.6% annual and 8.8% monthly decrease.
Meanwhile, contributions to the Education Trust Fund were $50.4 million, an 8.7% monthly decline and a 4.3% annual drop.
Casino gaming revenues also support the communities where the casinos are located, Maryland’s horse racing industry, and small, minority- and women-owned businesses.
Maryland online casino legislation failed this year
Although Maryland was the closest state to pass online casino legislation in 2024, the Senate bill sponsor, Sen. Ron Watson, decided not to re-introduce the bill until 2026. He told PlayUSA that even if he did put the bill out next year, there would still be no execution.
Maryland completed its legislative session in April, and the Senate decided not to act on online casinos this year. However, the House passed HB1319 and included internet gaming in its budget proposal.
For online casinos in Maryland to be legalized, the bill must get the voters’ approval in a general election. Without putting that question in front of voters in November this year, the next chance to get approval from the voters would be 2026.
Maryland online casinos faced opposition from labor unions and two casinos, Maryland Live! and Ocean Downs Casino, worried about iGaming cannibalizing the brick-and-mortar market.
