Covid related restrictions are easing across the nation, and with this, casinos in Massachusetts have done a decent business in May. Last month, the Bay State’s three casinos made a total gross gaming revenue of $86.68 million compared to April’s $84.63 million, as per the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s statistics on Tuesday.
Encore Boston Harbor, one of the three casinos in the state, enjoyed an increase of 2.7 million in the gross gaming earnings. At the same time, Plainridge Park and MGM Springfield both found a small decrease in gaming compared to April.
After an increasing trend from November to March, MGM had its second successive monthly drop.
In May, the Springfield casino made $21,252,673 in gaming revenue compared to April’s $21,933,552, which is a decline of $680,879.
The gross revenue of MGM included $4.03million earned with table games. MGM’s slot machines earned it $17.23 million.
MGM made a total of $22,063,599 in the month of March, marking its highest-earning since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last month, Encore Boston Harbor gathered $52.93 million in gaming revenue compared to the $50.18 million made in April.
Plainridge Park Casino reported $12,494,990 in gross gaming revenue for May and $12,516,260 earned in April.
Pre-Pandemic Operations in Casinos
The Gaming Commission released the above numbers after they voted to repeal covid-19 restrictions in the state on 26th May, authorizing all three casinos to run in almost complete capacities like pre-pandemic operations.
The Commission also voted to authorize craps games and an additional seat at black Jack tables at Encore and MGM Springfield. Gov. Charlie Baker lifted the state of emergency in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
Tax Categories and Tax Revenues
Both MGM Springfield and Encore fall under category one resort casino. 25% of their gross gaming revenues arehighest earning taxable. Tax revenues go to many state funds, according to the gaming commission.
The Plainridge Park falls under the category two slots facility, taxed at 49% of the total revenue from gaming. 82% of the taxes received are paid for local air, and the race Horsing Development Fund gets 18%.
The three casinos have paid a total of $24.67 million of taxes for May from their gross gaming revenues.
