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s sports betting takes a new step in Maryland, casinos have generated a total of $165.4 million in gaming revenue during the month of September, according to the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Agency.
The figures represent a 15.1% increase over September 2020, a month in which gaming venues posted $143.7 in revenue. It is worth noting, however, that throughout the same period last year, the six casinos in the state operated at a limited 50% capacity amidst Covid-19 restrictions.
Revenue for the fiscal year 2022 to date totals $514 million, an 18.7 increase versus FY 2021, which posted $433.2 million.
Throughout September, Maryland’s casinos contributed $69 million to the state, an increase of $9.3 million (15.6%) versus $59.7 million in September last year. Contributions to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) in September 2021 were $50.1 million, a 15.6% increase.
Maryland has six privately-owned casinos, which 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.
MGM National Harbor posted the highest revenue among them, with a total of $69.4 million in revenue for September. It marks a 20.9% increase over the same period last year. Live! Casino & Hotel took second place at $56.5 million in revenue, followed by Horseshoe Casino ($17.5 million), which saw a 0.5% decrease versus last year.
Ocean Downs Casino, Hollywood Casino and Rocky Gap Casino follow in the list, all posting increased revenue when compared to last year: 17.4% for Ocean Downs, 11.1% for Hollywood Casino, 6.4% for Rocky Gap.
The September figures see a small drop in revenue compared to the $168.5 million posted in August this year. It also sees revenue down from the record-setting month of July, in which casinos reported $180.1 million. July marked the third time in 5 months that the state’s casinos set a new revenue record, a tendency that has now slowed down.
Furthermore, Maryland is on its way to launch legal sports betting. Applications for wagering licenses from Horseshoe Casino, Live! Casino and MGM National Harbor have been forwarded to a state commission for final approval, said the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission on Wednesday.
The three gambling giants will now seek to secure formal approval of the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), set to meet on October 14. The three casinos are part of the 17 businesses named in the law to legalize sports betting as potential sites for sportsbooks.
“We’re pleased to have these three applicants approved and move them along to the SWARC,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin, according to CBS Baltimore. “Our team is diligently implementing the sports wagering law, and we’re one step closer to the first in-person wagers, which we hope will take place by late fall.”
