The Massachusetts Gaming Commission hasn’t just been working diligently to launch and regulate sports betting in 2023. On Monday, the MGC took a detailed look back, as it released its 2022 Annual Report, which examines activities by the commission from Jul. 1, 2021 through Jun. 30, 2022.
The biggest number in the report was $1.1 billion — which was the gross gaming revenue for the period of July 2021 through the end of June of 2022. The bulk of that figure comes from slot machine play at the three Massachusetts casinos: Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino.
“This Annual Report details the hard work of the entire team at the MGC,” Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said in a press release from the state. “And I want to commend them all for their consistent, thorough, and transformative efforts and their genuine commitment to public service during this fiscal year and in the busy period to come.”
PlayMA plucked 10 key takeaways from the MGC annual report.
1. State received $311.5 million in tax revenue
Evidence that gaming can be a profitable for a state government? How about this: Massachusetts collected $311.5 million in taxes from the activity in the time period covered by the MGC report. The source of that staggering figure breaks down like this:
- Encore Boston Harbor … $177.5 million
- Plainridge Park Casino … $69.4 million
- MGM Springfield … $64.4 million
Category 1 resort-casinos, such as the three listed above, are taxed 25% on their gross gaming revenue.
Tax revenue goes to the General Fund, as well as responsible gaming efforts and community funding programs.
2. More than 31,000 consumers enrolled in PlayMyWay program
Massachusetts is unique in launching a state-sponsored program to provide education and gaming resources at casinos in the state.
The program, called PlayMyWay, provides consumers with a budgeting tool so they can gauge how much they should spend on gambling. The PMW program is the first of its kind in the US, and has already attracted more than 31,000 enrollees.
3. Encore Boston Harbor top casino based on gaming revenue
Encore Boston Harbor reported $710 million in gross gaming revenue from slots and table games for the reporting period. From slots alone, EBH took in $384.2 million, which was more than the two other casinos combined.
MGM Springfield reported $203.3 million from slots and $54.5 from table games. Plainridge, which does not offer table game play, reported $141.7 million in gross gaming revenue from slots.
4. Community mitigation fund received $10.6 million
The Massachusetts Community Mitigation Fund gathers tax revenue to use as grants for local projects for communities near a casino. The MGC reports that $10.6 million went “to assist communities with unanticipated mitigation impacts specific to that community which have occurred or are occurring as of the January 31 (2022) due date.”
According to the MGC website, since 2013, the Community Mitigation Fund has collected more than $36 million and spent it to “advance needs in transportation, community planning, workforce development, and public safety initiatives for eligible municipalities and government entities located in the vicinity of the casinos.”
5. Two $100,000 purse horse races added to schedule
Massachusetts horse racing continues to be popular, and a pair of high-stakes races were added during FY 2022. The Paul Revere Pace was held in April at Plainridge Park. And in May, the Bunker Hill Trot took place, also at Plainridge. Both races were $100,000 purses.
6. 1,100 people enrolled in voluntary self-exclusion through June 2022
A key tool in promoting responsible gaming in Massachusetts is the Voluntary Self-Exclusion program, which enables consumers to bar themselves from gambling in a casino. During FY 2022, the MGC reports that more than 1,100 people placed their name on the VSE list.
With sports betting now legal in Massachusetts, the VSE can also be used by consumers who wager on sporting activities, either at a retail sportsbook or through a mobile sports betting app.
7. Small businesses are benefitting from gaming industry
The MGC has encouraged the use of small businesses in their work. According to the annual report released Monday, during FY 2022, 49.7% of expenditures by the commission for goods and services were with small businesses.
8. Massachusetts vendors reported $54.9 million in business due to gaming industry
There are many associated business activities from gaming, and the MGC has urged the industry to consider Massachusetts-based companies. In FY 2022, according to the MGC, $54.9 million was spent with MA vendors as a result of gaming activity.
RELATED: ICRG — In Beverly, MA — To Conduct 2-Year Research Project On Voluntary Self-Exclusion
9. Casino workforce is diverse
According to data gathered by UMass Donahue Institute, for FY 2022, casino workforce in Massachusetts was classified as 53% diverse. In addition, 43% of hires were women, and 4% were veterans. The MGC itself reports diversity of its workforce at 31%, with 46% being women.
10. $3.6 Million in intercepted funds for child support, owed taxes
The state must intercept any winnings that would go to an individual who is delinquent in child support payments, or owes state taxes. In FY 2022, more than $3.6 million in winnings were intercepted through this enforcement method.
Customers who win $600 or more at a casino get a W-2G tax form. That could trigger enforcement and interception of winnings if the individual is on the state list for arrearages in child support or income taxes.
ALSO READ: Inside The MGC’s 6-Month Frenzy To Launch Sports Betting
