Gambling revenues up at Encore Boston Harbor, down slightly at MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park
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SPRINGFIELD — While Encore Boston Harbor had a $2.7 million increase in gross gaming revenue in May as the coronavirus pandemic faded, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park reported slight dips in their gambling proceeds compared to April.
Gross gaming revenue for the three Massachusetts casinos totaled $86.68 million in May, as compared to $84.63 million in April, according to numbers released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Tuesday.
It was the second consecutive monthly dip for MGM, after an upward trajectory from November to March.
The numbers were released after the Gaming Commission voted on May 26 to rescind its COVID-19 restrictions, allowing all three casinos to return to almost pre-pandemic operations. The casinos closed from mid-March to mid-July 2020, reopening under strict COVID-19 restrictions including mask requirements, limits on capacity and reduced gambling options. In March 2021, the Gaming Commission voted to allow the return of craps games and an additional seat at blackjack tables at MGM Springfield and Encore, as sought by the casinos.
A state of emergency in Massachusetts was lifted on Tuesday by Gov. Charlie Baker.
MGM Springfield had $21,252,673 in gross gaming revenue in May, as compared to $21,933,552 in April, reflecting a decline of $680,879. MGM’s gross gaming revenue in May included $4.03 million from table games and $17.23 million from slot machines, the commission reported.
Gross gaming revenue at MGM Springfield reached $22,063,599 in March, its highest point since the beginning of the pandemic.
Encore Boston Harbor had $52.93 million in gross gaming revenue in May, as compared to $50.18 million in April, the commission reported.
Plainridge Park had $12,494,990 in gross gaming revenue in May, as compared to $12,516,260 in April.
The three casinos paid a total of $24.67 million in state taxes in May, connected to their gross gaming revenues.
MGM Springfield and Encore are Category 1 resort casinos, and are taxed at 25% of their gross gaming revenues. The tax proceeds go to several state funds, the commission said.
Plainridge Park is a Category 2 slots facility, which is taxed on 49% of its gross gaming revenue. Of that amount, 82% is paid to local aid and 18% is allotted to the Race Horse Development Fund.
