Maryland Casino Revenues Decline in August Amid Mixed Performance Across Properties

Maryland's casino industry posted weaker results in August, with statewide gaming revenue falling 2.1% from a year earlier. Total takings came in at $170.3 million, down from $173.9 million in August 2024, according to figures released by Maryland Lottery and Gaming. Revenue from video lottery terminals totaled $118.2 million, a slight dip from last year's $118.5 million, while table games contributed $52 million, off from $55.4 million.

MGM National Harbor, the state's top earner, reported a 6.5% revenue slide, weighing heavily on the statewide results with $70.1 million in revenue. Hollywood Casino's 13% decline was the steepest among the six properties, generating only $6.7 million. By contrast, Live! Casino & Hotel and Horseshoe Baltimore posted modest gains of 2.1% and 4.4% respectively, with revenues of $63.2 million and $15.1 million.

Alex Murphy, a digital PR specialist at Casinos.com, noted that "Maryland's casino market continues to show mixed results, with some properties posting steady growth despite broader headwinds. The performance gap between the state's largest operator and mid-tier casinos will be important to watch moving forward."

The revenue report comes as Maryland takes center stage in a closely watched legal fight over prediction markets. A federal judge recently ruled that contracts offered by Kalshi, a New York-based trading platform, could qualify as sports betting under state law, with the company currently appealing the decision. Murphy emphasized that "The Kalshi case highlights the blurred lines regulators are facing between traditional sports betting and emerging prediction markets. The outcome of this dispute could set an important precedent not just for Maryland, but for the broader U.S. gaming landscape."

The mixed casino performance and ongoing legal uncertainties create a complex environment for Maryland's gaming industry, where traditional casino revenues face challenges while new forms of betting markets emerge, potentially reshaping the regulatory framework and competitive dynamics across the state's gambling sector.