Maryland casino revenue began 2021 on an upswing compared to December but still off the pace from January 2020.

The six commercial Maryland casinos combined for $128,763,516 in total revenue for January 2021, an increase of nearly $10 million from the December 2019 figure of $119,356,448. However, with capacities still reduced in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, Maryland casino revenue was about $16.7 million lower in a year-over-year comparison to January 2020 ($145,466,952).

The coronavirus that temporarily shut down the nation’s casino industry in March 2020 is still affecting Maryland’s monthly casino intake. The state’s three largest casinos — MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore — are still running at 25% of their capacity. The other three v Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin, Hollywood Casino Perryville and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone — are at 50% capacity.

The rise in January stopped a four-month decline for Maryland casino revenue; the December figure was down about $11 million from November, which in turn had been about a $12 million decline from October.

According to a news release from Maryland Lottery and Gaming, the casinos contributed nearly $54 million to the state in January and $39.2 million to the Education Trust Fund.

For the 2020-21 fiscal year so far (July through January), total casino gaming revenue is at $954.3 million, off the 2019-20 pace by 6.9%.

Breakdown of Maryland Casino Revenue

MGM National Harbor led the way in combined revenue (slots and table games) in January with $50.5 million, according to the state release. Live! Casino & Hotel was close behind at nearly $47.8 million, followed by Horseshoe ($13.75 million), Hollywood ($6.84 million), Ocean Downs ($5.7 million) and Rocky Gap ($4.2 million).

The gross terminal revenue from Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) was $85.7 million in January, up 9.5% from the $78.3 million in December. The revenue from table games was $43.1 million in January, a 4.8% increase from the month before when it was $41.1 million.

MGM National Harbor, which has the most table games of the six casinos with 196, led table games revenue with $23.35 million, followed by Live! at $13.7 million and Horseshoe at $4.2 million.

Live! has the most slots in the state with 2,756 and led VLT revenue for January with $34.1 million, followed by MGM ($27.15 million) and Horseshoe ($9.6 million).

Hollywood and Ocean Downs were the only two casinos with a rise in combined table games and VLT revenue for January 2021 compared to 12 months earlier. Hollywood rose 11.8% to $6.84 million in January 2021 compared to January 2020, and Ocean Downs was up 5.9% to nearly $5.7 million.