Maryland sports betting launch drives six casinos' second-best monthly revenue

As reported by the state of Maryland, December’s revenue in gaming for the area’s six casinos generated a combined $172.9 million, marking the last month of the year as the second-best for total gaming revenue. The total was 44.9% more than gaming revenue in December 2020. Casinos were still operating under COVID-19-related capacity restrictions a year earlier. 

The record for gaming revenue set by the state’s casinos was in July 2021, when the total was $180.1 million. 

The best year-over-year gain came at MGM National Harbor, where $74.5 million in December gaming revenue was up 53.5% from the previous December. Live! Casino & Hotel saw $62.4 million in gaming revenue, up 45.6%.

Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino had $17.1 million in December gaming revenue, up 33.8% from a year earlier. 

Revenue was up at Maryland’s three smaller casinos as well. Hollywood Casino, Ocean Downs and Rocky Gap had year-over-year gains of 9.4%, 32.1% and 41.2%, respectively. 

Casinos also contributed $71.1 million to various state programs in December, including $51.7 million to the state’s Education Trust Fund. 

Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director, John Martin, stated that these numbers are a direct result of the combination of the holiday season and the launch of sports wagering at five of the casinos during December. 

Ocean Downs Casino, Hollywood Casino Perryville, MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore launched sports betting operations during the last weeks of December. Off-track betting facilities Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s intend to start their retail sportsbook operations in early 2022, with the latter still to announce a partnership deal with a sportsbook operator.