Maryland’s six casinos combined to produce $155.1 million in revenue from slot machines and table games during September, according to state regulators. As the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency revealed, September was the weakest month for Maryland casinos since January last year.
Maryland gaming regulators issued a separate report for the state’s retail and online sports betting. Betting handle (total bets) during September equaled $442.5 million, while revenue was close to $45.6 million.
Maryland’s casino revenue dropped 2.6% year-over-year
Maryland’s casino revenue figure represents a 2.6% yearly decrease from September 2022’s $159.27 million. The number is also a monthly drop of 3.9% from the $161.4 million generated in August.
Here’s how Maryland casinos’ September revenue compares to the rest of the year:
- January: $167.27 million
- February: $157.06 million
- March: $176.52 million
- April: $174.74 million
- May: $169.40 million
- June: $163.72 million
- July $174.32 million
- August: $161.4 million
- September: $155.1 million
September 2023 was the weakest month for Maryland casinos since January last year when revenue was only $153.8 million.
However, The strongest month was October last year when Maryland casinos set a revenue record of more than $212.9 million, representing 37.4% yearly growth.
MGM National Harbor remains on top among Maryland casinos
Revenues for the six casinos were led by MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, which collected almost $62 million in September.
Maryland casinos’ gaming revenue totals for September are as follows:
- MGM National Harbor (2,264 slot machines, 206 table games): $61,969,980, a 2.9% yearly decrease
- Live! Casino & Hotel (3,846 slot machines, 179 table games): $58,412,443, a 2.8% annual increase
- Horseshoe Casino (1,400 slot machines, 122 table games): $14,451,736, a 16.3 % yearly drop
- Ocean Downs Casino (866 slot machines, 19 table games): $8,733,540, a 4.9% annual decrease
- Hollywood Casino (663 slot machines, 19 table games): $6,722,454, a 4.8% yearly decline
- Rocky Gap Casino (623 slot machines, 16 table games): $4,807,625, a 6.5% yearly decrease
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control’s September report showed, Live! Casino & Hotel was the only gaming venue with a year-over-year increase in revenue.
Maryland casinos’ contribution to the state drops monthly and yearly
In September, casino gaming contributions to the state totaled $66.4 million, a 2.2% yearly drop. The figure is also a monthly decrease of 2.5% from $68.1 million collected in August.
Contributions to the Education Trust Fund in September totaled $47.8 million, a 3.1% yearly decrease compared to September last year. The figure is also a monthly decline from August’s $49 million.
Casino gaming revenue goes toward the communities and jurisdictions where the casinos are located. Gaming revenue from Maryland casinos also goes to Maryland’s horse racing industry, as well as small, minority- and women-owned businesses.
MD’s online sportsbooks made $45.6 million in revenue
Throughout September, the sports betting handle was $442,450,666, with Maryland online sportsbooks accounting for 95.1% ($420,957,789).
After the prizes were paid to players, Maryland sports betting revenue totaled $45,575,924 in September. Both revenue and handle figures represent month-over-month increases.
The state’s 13 retail and 12 mobile sportsbooks combined to generate $3,231,427 in contributions to the state in September, as follows:
- Online sportsbooks provided $2,888,568
- Retail sportsbooks contributed $342,859
Each sportsbook contributes 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.
Maryland’s sports betting market launched with five retail locations in December 2021, while MD’s online sports betting market went live in November 2022. The latest sportsbook in the state launched on Sept. 29 as Canton Gaming teamed up with Parx Interactive to open a sportsbook at The Greene Turtle in Towson.
While there are no online casinos in Maryland, we can expect more retail locations and mobile sportsbooks to launch soon.
