MD casino revenue increases despite limited capacity at facilities

Despite operating at up to 50% capacity because of COVID-19 restrictions, Maryland’s six casinos registered a 1% increase in gaming revenue in September compared with the same month in 2019, according to Maryland Lottery and Gaming.

Total revenue for the month from video lottery terminals and table games was $143.71 million, up from $142.22 million last September when the facilities were fully operational. Hollywood Casino at Perryville showed a 12.6% increase in revenue year over year, followed by Rocky Gap Casino and Resort (5.2%), Live! Casino (3%) and Casino at Ocean Downs (3%).

The Purse Dedication Account, which gets 6% of VLT revenue from five casinos and 2.5% from Rocky Gap, received $5.49 million in September 2020. The 80% share for Thoroughbred racing was $4.39 million. Almost $900,000 was generated for the Racetrack Facilities Renewal Account, which receives 1% of VLT revenue at five casinos.

For the first three months of fiscal 2021, the PDA has earned $16.30 million, not far off the $16.90 million recorded for July through September to begin fiscal 2020.