State Casino Revenues Rise, But Slot Money Drops

Revenue from casinos in the state rose only slightly in April, even after Maryland Live! saw its first month of table games, the Maryland Lottery reported. 

Total revenue from the state’s three casinos was $58.6 million, or about $2 million more than in March. But that total included $8.4 million in new table game revenue from the Maryland Live! casino near Arundel Mills. Table games made their debut there on April 11. 

While overall revenue at Maryland Live! rose from $44.6 million to $46.65 million, much of the new revenue from table games was offset by a decline in slots revenue. Maryland Live! saw slots revenue drop to $38.2 million, a 14 percent decline.

The Hollywood Casino in Perryville saw overall revenue drop from $9.59 million to $8.4 million. Table game revenue rose from $1.47 million to $1.56 million, but slots revenue fell from $8.02 million to $6.87 million.

Ocean Downs, which does not have table games, saw revenue rise slightly from $3.95 million to $3.96 million.

Casino revenue is distributed back to casinos as well as the education trust fund, the horse racing industry and local communities. Casinos keep a higher percentage of table game money. 

 Here’s how the casino revenue was distributed in April:

• Casino share: $16.17 million from slots, $7.97 million from table games.
• Education trust fund: $24.14 million from slots, $1.99 million from table games.
• Horse racing purse account: $3.43 million from slots
• Local impact grants: $2.69 million from slots
• Race track facility renewals: $857,662 from slots
• Maryland Lottery: $980,185 from slots