April Third best month ever for Maryland gaming industry, casinos win $162.1 million

Publication Date: May 6, 2021, 05: 51 hrs.

Last updated: May 6, 2021, 11: 40 hrs.

Maryland casinos won more than $ 162. 1 million from gamblers last month. It is the third highest gross monthly gaming revenue (GGR) state in the gaming industry. Maryland's first casino opened in September 2010.

Six licensed commercial casinos continued their record-breaking 169 million in March with another strong performance. GGR was 0 $ in 2020 as casinos were closed all month for Gov. Larry Hogan's (R) pandemic.

But compared to April 2019, 162. 1 million GGR is almost 19 percent increase.

After setting a single-month gaming revenue record in March, six Maryland casinos combined to generate the third best month of all time ", according to a statement from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

"The total represents an increase of 16, 870, 233 (11. 6 percent) compared to April 2019 when gaming revenue was 145, 236, 133. All six casinos were closed throughout April 2020 due to COVID - 19 ", the statement continued.

Hogan lifted state ordinances limiting the operation of capacity-limited casinos in mid-March. However, local ordinances still limit MGM National Harbor and Horseshoe Baltimore to 50 percent of their fire code value.

MGM leads again

Despite the continuation of COVID - 19, MGM National Harbor posted its highest GGR last month. The integrated casino resort in Prince George's County reported a casino win of over $ 62. 3 million, 2.5 percent bonus in April 2019.

Live coverage! Anne Arundel County Casino and Hotel came in second with a $ 58.2 million price tag. The casino near BWI Airport likely benefited from the increase in air travel, as its April GGR number represents a 21. 7 percent increase for April 2019.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore came in a distant third place with a $ 30.6 million price tag. The Caesars Entertainment property was flat compared to April 2019.

three smaller resort-style casinos - Hollywood Casino Perryville, Ocean Downs Casino and Rocky Gap Casino - combined to win $ 21.8 million. That's a 30 percent jump over April 2019, when the three venues won $ 16 0.9 million.

Latest Sports Betting

Maryland is set to become the latest state to allow gamblers to legally bet on sports. Last November, voters approved a ballot referendum to allow state lawmakers to write sports betting legislation.

In April, the General Assembly passed House Bill 940 and sent the measure to Hogan's desk. The sports betting package is one of the largest in the country, as it creates more than 90 sports betting licenses, both in-person and online.

Each of the state's six casinos, professional sports stadiums and horse racing tracks qualify for retail bookmaker sales. Another 30 licenses are reserved for businesses that want to offer in-person betting, and 60 mobile betting licenses are up for grabs.

Of course, this all depends on whether Hogan allows the bill to become law. Although the governor has said in the past that he supports the state of Maryland joining many of its neighbors in having legal, regulated sports betting, the second-term governor has yet to sign the measure.