The Maine Gambling Control Board’s annual report recently came out, showing the state’s two casinos reporting drops in slots revenue in 2014. At Oxford Casino, slot machine gambling was down million. And at Hollywood Casino in Bangor slot revenue was down million–significantly less than the 0 million hit it took from 2012 to 2013, following the opening of Oxford Casino in June 2012.
The report also showed slots players wagered $662 million at Oxford, down from $677.7 million in 2013, and $459.6 million at Hollywood, down from $469 million last year. Oxford Casino returned $604.6 million in winnings, paid $29 million in taxes and earned $29 million. Hollywood Casino returned $413 million to players, paid $22 million in taxes and kept $24.6 million.
Gambling Control Board Executive Director Patrick Fleming said, “I think the novelty is kind of wearing off. The first year or so Oxford Casino was open, they had a pretty significant impact on Bangor and Bangor has kind of leveled out, and I think we’re just establishing where we’re going to be going forward. I don’t think Oxford had the expectation that it was going to keep going at the rate that it was.” However, he added, “I haven’t heard any concerns; they’re both making money.” Both casinos reported a $1 million increase in table game revenue, with Hollywood posting $8 million and Oxford $14.5 million.
Fleming said he’s not concerned about casinos in Boston or New Hampshire pulling business from Maine’s casinos in 2015. But it and when those neighboring casinos open, he said, “I think that’s certainly something that’s we’ll be looking at.” He said about a dozen bills proposed by state lawmakers would expand gambling with casinos in both southern and northern Maine.
