MGM National Harbor outside of Washington, D.C. continued its dominance of the Maryland casino market in August, its .8 million in gaming revenue contributing to a new state revenue record of 7.5 million, a 37 percent jump over August 2016.
The states’ overall revenue jump is attributable mainly to the MGM property, which opened in December. Minus the MGM results, the state’s casino revenue fell by 15.7 percent in August, compared to August 2016.
The properties whose revenue dropped the most as a result of the National Harbor success were, predictably, the other two casinos in the Washington/Baltimore corridor. Cordish Companies’ Live (formerly Maryland Live), in the Baltimore suburb of Hanover, saw August gaming revenues drop 19.9 percent year-on-year, to $44.7 million. Horseshoe Baltimore saw an even steeper 21.3 percent year-over-year decline, with revenues of $21.8 million.
The state’s smaller casinos outside of the region fared better. The slots-only Ocean Downs racino grew its August revenues 11.9 percent, to $6.9 million, while Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Western Maryland grew 6.1 percent, to $4.8 million. Hollywood Casino Perryville saw a 5.4 percent revenue increase, to nearly $6.3 million.
