Casinos contribute $73.4 million to the state
(Baltimore) – For the second time in three months, Maryland’s six casinos have set a single-month gaming revenue record, generating $172,394,450 during May 2021. The total represents an increase of $20,118,651 (13.2%) compared to May 2019, when gaming revenue was $152,275,799. All six casinos were closed throughout May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The May 2021 figure surpassed the previous single-month record of $169,179,016, which was set in March 2021.
Casino gaming contributions to the state in May 2021 totaled $73,358,682, an increase of $9,703,306 (15.2%) compared to the $63,655,376 contributed to the state in May 2019.
Contributions to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) in May 2021 were $53,285,419, an increase of $5,537,940 (11.6%) compared to the $47,747,479 in ETF contributions during May 2019. Casino gaming revenues also support the communities and jurisdictions where the casinos are located, Maryland’s horse racing industry, and small, minority- and women-owned businesses.
As part of Maryland’s effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, the casinos were closed on March 16, 2020, and began reopening with capacity limitations on June 19, 2020. Casino operators worked with local and state public health officials to develop their reopening protocols. By May 17, 2021, capacity restrictions had been lifted at all six casinos, but some slot machine and table game seats could not be occupied because casinos continue to comply with social-distancing guidelines.
Maryland’s six privately owned casinos offer both slot machines and table games: MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County; Live! Casino & Hotel in Anne Arundel County; Horseshoe Casino Baltimore in Baltimore City; Ocean Downs Casino in Worcester County; Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County; and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County.
The gaming revenue totals for May 2021 are as follows:
MGM National Harbor (2,279 slot machines, 200 table games)
$68,381,993 in May 2021, an increase of $9,259,517 (15.7%) from May 2019
Live! Casino & Hotel (3,206 slot machines, 188 table games)
$61,395,302 in May 2021, an increase of $7,896,901 (14.8%) from May 2019
Horseshoe Casino (1,150 slot machines, 136 table games)
$19,524,416 in May 2021, a decrease of $1,034,724 (-5.0%) from May 2019
Ocean Downs Casino (852 slot machines, 18 table games)
$8,598,719 in May 2021, an increase of $1,361,238 (18.8%) from May 2019
Hollywood Casino (610 slot machines, 16 table games)
$8,489,379 in May 2021, an increase of $1,576,716 (22.8%) from May 2019
Rocky Gap Casino (626 slot machines, 16 table games)
$6,004,640 in May 2021, an increase of $1,059,003 (21.4%) from May 2019
Maryland Lottery and Gaming is responsible for oversight of the state’s casinos. In this role, the agency provides direction and guidance to its casino partners on financial, security, regulatory and licensing procedures for the facilities. To keep Marylanders informed and to maintain transparency of casino operations, monthly financial reports are posted on mdgaming.com. Maryland Lottery and Gaming reminds players to play responsibly and within their budget; resources are available at mdgamblinghelp.org or by calling 1-800-426-2537.