MD casino revenue remains strong after COVID-19 shutdown

In their second full month of operation at 50% capacity after having been shuttered because of COVID-19 restrictions, Maryland’s six casinos in August generated $149.54 million in gaming revenue, down only 3.1% from August 2019. Maryland Lottery and Gaming said it was the eighth-highest month for revenue since the casinos began operating.

Maryland’s racing industry receives revenue from gaming to support purses and racetrack improvements: 6% of video lottery terminal revenue at five casinos and 2.5% at the sixth goes toward purses, and 1% of VLT revenue at five casinos goes toward the Racetrack Facility Renewal Account.

In August, $5.48 million was paid to the Purse Dedication Account, with 80% ($4.38 million) for Thoroughbred racing. In July, Thoroughbred purses earned $4.26 million from VLTs.