The Connection

Operating at 50% capacity, Maryland’s six casinos generated $139,920,018 in gaming revenue during July, the first full month of operation after being closed for three months due to COVID-19. The total represents a decrease of $9,408,361 (-6.3%) from the July 2019 total of $149,328,379. Three of the six – Hollywood Casino; Live! Casino & Hotel; and Rocky Gap Casino – saw increases from their July 2019 gaming revenue figures.

Casino contributions to the state in July 2020 were $57,960,649, a decrease of $3,758,416 (-6.1%) compared to the $61,719,065 contributed to the state in July 2019.

Contributions to the Education Trust Fund in July of 2020 were $43,480,290, a decrease of $2,811,659 (-6.1%) compared to the $46,291,949 in Education Trust Fund contributions from July 2019. Casino gaming revenues also support communities and jurisdictions where the casinos are located, as well as Maryland’s horse racing industry.

As part of Maryland’s effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, the casinos were closed on March 16. Casino operators worked with local and state public health officials to develop their reopening protocols. Temperature screenings are being conducted at the door, and the casinos have implemented social distancing and sanitation procedures, including a requirement that all employees and patrons wear facemasks.

“The casinos worked very hard to reconfigure their operations for this ‘new normal,’ and while this is still uncharted territory in many ways, these are strong results, given the circumstances,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica.

Maryland has six privately owned casinos that 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.

Here are the revenue totals for July 2020:

• MGM National Harbor (3,029 slot machines, 190 table games)

$52,329,346 in July 2020, a decrease of $8,433,772 (-13.9%) from July 2019

• Live! Casino & Hotel (3,828 slot machines, 195 table games)

$51,507,354 in July 2020, an increase of $2,232,230 (4.5%) from July 2019

• Horseshoe Casino (2,102 slot machines, 129 table games)

$15,805,418 in July 2020, a decrease of $3,581,217 (-18.5%) from July 2019

• Hollywood Casino (788 slot machines, 13 table games)

$7,009,254 in July 2020, an increase of $483,498 (7.4%) from July 2019

• Ocean Downs Casino (884 slot machines, 18 table games)

$7,760,214 in July 2020, a decrease of $423,660 (-5.2%) from July 2019

• Rocky Gap Casino (665 slot machines, 16 table games)

$5,508,432 in July 2020, an increase of $314,561 (6.1%) from July 2019

Details on both fiscal and calendar year-to-date totals are available online. https://www.mdgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/July-2020-Casino-Revenue-Data.pdf

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 https://www.mdgaming.com/. Maryland Lottery and Gaming reminds players to play responsibly and within their budget; resources are available at https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org/ or by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.