Massachusetts casinos see slight revenue drop in September

Massachusetts casinos have seen a dip in gambling revenue in September, according to a Massachusetts Gaming Commission report released last Friday.

MGM Springfield posted $19.4 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) throughout the period, $16.6 million corresponding to slots and $2.8 million to table gaming. The figures see total GGR down about 11% from the $21.8 million reported in August 2021, although up about 10.2% from the $17.6 million reported in September 2020.

Encore Boston Harbor posted $57.5 million in GGR, $31.5 million corresponding to slots and $26.9 to table gaming. Total GGR was slightly down from the $57.9 million reported in August 2021. It was, however, 25.2% up from $43 million reported last September.

Plainridge Park Casino posted $12 million in GGR, down from $12.7 million in August 2021. It was up 4.2% from $11.5 million reported last September.

Combined, revenue for Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor generated approximately $89 million in GGR during the month, down from $92 million in August. Plainridge Park Casino is a category 2 slots-only facility, taxed on 49% of its revenue, while MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor are category 1 resort-casinos taxed on 25% of their revenue.

The roughly $89 million in gross gaming revenue generated at Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor yielded about $25.1 million for the state, the third-best month on record. To date, the Commonwealth has collected approximately $894 million in total taxes and assessments from PPC, MGM and Encore since the respective openings of each gaming facility. 

The revenue data for September could point to a seasonal trend: revenue in September 2019 was $20.2 million, down about $700,000 from August 2019.

In recent state gambling news, a casino-style gambling expansion has been pitched for Plainridge Park Casino to add 30 table games. The expansion plan was pitched by Massachusetts representatives last month in order to turn the state's sole slots parlor into a more competitive venue.

The reps. cited major expansion planned at a nearby Rhode Island gaming facility as a factor that could put Plainridge at disadvantage. Allowing table games and additional slots could lead up to more jobs and report greater benefits to the area, says parent company Penn National.

Meanwhile, MGM Springfield has opened two lounges in anticipation of legal sports betting in Massachusetts. The venues are expected to become strategical assets in the race to remain competitive within the casino industry once wagering launches.