Massachusetts casinos had a down month in April, no matter how you slice it.
The state’s three casinos reported just under $97.5 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in April. These numbers represented a 12.2% decline from March’s $111.1 million.
Revenue dropped by 3.6% from April 2023 ($101.2 million) and was lower than April 2022 ($99.2 million).
Encore Boston Harbor leads April casino revenue in Massachusetts
Bay State bettors have multiple legal gambling options available, including three retail casinos and six online sportsbooks. While Massachusetts online casinos remain illegal, retail casinos continue to be the next best option.
Encore Boston Harbor is the largest Massachusetts casino by a long shot. It reported nearly $60.9 million in April GGR, 62.4% of the state’s casino revenue.
MGM Springfield reported $22.8 million in GGR, and Plainridge Park Casino accounted for the remaining $13.8 million.
April GGR breakdown:
| Casino | Slot Machine Revenue | Table Games Revenue | Gross Gaming Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encore Boston Harbor | $33,972,239 | $26,917,686 | $60,889,925 |
| MGM Springfield | $18,079,970 | $4,691,282 | $22,771,252 |
| Plainridge Park | $13,837,471 | $0 | $13,837,471 |
| Total | $65,889,680 | $31,608,968 | $97,498,648 |
Plainridge Park only casino to report YoY growth for April
Although it is the smallest Massachusetts casino, Plainridge Park’s $13.8 million GGR represented 2.9% year-over-year growth. It was the only casino to post better YoY revenue in April 2024.
Furthermore, Plainridge Park has now improved its GGR for four consecutive April revenue reports:
- April 2021: $12.5 million
- April 2022: $12.9 million
- April 2023: $13.4 million
- April 2024: $13.8 million
MGM Springfield reported $22.7 million April GGR, which was down 4.1% YoY. This was slightly better than April 2022’s GGR.
- April 2021: $21.9. million
- April 2022: $22.5 million
- April 2023: $23.7 million
- April 2024: $22.7 million
Encore Boston Harbor was hit the hardest in April despite maintaining a dominant market share. Its $60.9 million GGR was 4.9% less than April 2023 and a three-year low:
- April 2021: $50.2 million
- April 2022: $63.7 million
- April 2023: $63.9 million
- April 2024: $60.9 million
Massachusetts tax revenue to exceed $300 million in FY 2024
April’s casino revenue resulted in a $27.7 million state tax bill. Taxed at 25%, Encore paid $15.2 million, and MGM Springfield paid $5.7 million.
Plainridge Park, a slots-only facility, paid the remaining $6.8 million due to a 49% state tax. Of this total, 40% goes to the state, and the remaining 9% goes to the racehorse development fund.
Massachusetts casinos have paid $277.6 million in Fiscal Year 2024. With two months left in the Fiscal Year, that number will easily surpass $300 million.
As for where the tax money goes?
- 20% of all gaming revenue tax dollars go to local aid
- 15% to the transportation and infrastructure fund
- 14% to the state’s education fund
- 10% toward the debt and long-term liability reduction trust fund
- 10% to accelerated debt and defeasance
- 31% to other state funds, including the tourism fund, cultural council, public health trust fund and community mitigation fund.
