The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has released its casino revenue figures for December 2024, showing that operators collected $164.1 million. While that’s a decline of just under 1% year-on-year, revenues rose by almost 3.8% from the $158.1 million generated in November 2024.

Mixed Results for MD Casinos

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency report lists six casinos, and four of those locations posted revenue losses. The most significant change was Horseshoe Casino, where revenues dropped by 12.9% year-on-year. That drop of almost $2 million was the most significant contributor to the revenue decline. 

Another casino to experience significant losses was Rocky Gap Casino, which saw its revenues drop by 11.9% year-on-year from $4.4 million to almost $3.9 million. Hollywood Casino also posted a 6% drop in revenues, falling from $7.5 million to $7.1 million.

The other casino which saw a decline in revenues was Live! Casino & Hotel, the second most significant revenue generator in the state. Live! Casino & Hotel generated $59.1 million in revenues in December 2024, more than double Horseshoe Casino, Hollywood Casino, and Rocky Gap Casino combined. However, that figure still marked a 2.4% slip from the $60.5 million generated in December 2023.

Of the two casinos that increased revenues year-on-year, Ocean Downs Casino was the least significant, growing revenues by under 1%, amounting to an additional $55,000 to the state-wide total. 

MGM National Harbor was far more significant as the biggest contributor to state-wide revenues. In December 2024, the casino collected $73.6 million, a 4% rise from the $70.8 million prior year. That $73.6 million figure accounts for almost 45% of the state-wide revenue total.

The casino supports the biggest range of table games in the state, with 211 different games compared to the nearest competitor Live! Casino & Hotel, which only has 179. However, its 2,305 slot machines are fewer than the 3,800 options Live! Casino & Hotel provides.

Maryland Online Gambling Legislature Raises Concerns for Land-Based Casinos

With a 0.9% decrease in land-based casino revenue for December 2024, the state could see a potential rise with the possibility of legalizing online gambling through House Bill 17. After a failed attempt in 2024, the renewed effort displays Maryland’s growing interest in expanding its gambling options to its bettors. However, the state’s casinos have raised opposition.

Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, which changed ownership in 2024, has criticized online gambling as monopolizing revenue and affecting land-based facilities, detracting from in-person experiences that support local jobs and economies.