Maryland’s casino operators reported a modest revenue gain in April but failed to match their record-setting pace in March.
Figures released this week by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming agency show the state’s six casinos generated gaming revenue of $145.2m in April, a 1.2% rise over the same month last year, albeit well back of the record $163.3m performance set this March.
April’s gains were entirely due to slot machines, which improved by $4m to nearly $94.3m. Table game revenue was down around $2.3m to just under $51m.
Four individual properties were in positive territory in April, led by (as always) MGM Resorts’ National Harbor casino, which reported revenue of $60.8m, a 5.3% year-on-year improvement but well back of March’s $62.8m and even further off the property’s record showing of $73.4m in October 2018.
Cordish Gaming’s Live! Casino & Hotel placed second with $47.8m, up 2.2% from March, while Horseshoe Casino Baltimore reported $19.7m, down 9.6% year-on-year and a nearly one-quarter decline from March.
The Shoe has struggled the most since National Harbor opened in December 2016, but the property recently received permission to open a $15m patio bar known as The Terrace. The new offering will allow guests to not only smoke but also to engage in gaming activity via 16 live table games, a dozen or so dealer-assisted electronic table games and around 170 slot machines. The plan is to have the 10,500-square-foot patio completed by November.
The Shoe previously launched slots-only ‘smoking terraces’ that proved popular, except when it rained, snowed or the angle of the sun made things unbearably sticky. The Shoe’s new patio will feature an adjustable roof and awnings to ensure customers remain comfortable enough to stick around and enjoy the outdoor amenities. The Live! venue unveiled its own Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio one year ago.
Getting back to the April numbers, Hollywood Casino Perryville reported revenue falling nearly 10% year-on-year to $6.24m, while Oceans Downs was up 6.7% to $5.9m and Rocky Gap was essentially flat at $4.75m.
