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Massachusetts casinos ended 2022 on a positive note, as December proved to be a profitable month for them in the Commonwealth. With the anticipation of their retail sportsbooks launching at the end of January, the casinos experienced an increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) from both table games and slots. As the New Year began, the casinos were pleased with their performance.
Encore Boston Harbor (EBH), MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino (PPR) all experienced a boost in their annual revenue in 2022, leaving behind the pandemic lows of 2020.
Breaking Down Casino Revenue
The operators of the Commonwealth’s casinos experienced a challenging start to January 2022. They were still grappling with the aftermath of a three-month shutdown in 2020 and the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that extended into 2021. Nonetheless, as the year progressed, the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) gradually improved, with a few minor setbacks along the way.
Here is a breakdown of the GGR for December 2022 and annual figures for each casino:
Encore Boston Harbor
In December, EBH, the most lucrative casino in the state, achieved its highest monthly revenue of $68,459,743 from its tables and slots, marking a notable 13.2% surge compared to November’s GGR.
In December, the tables of EBH generated a total of $34,984,642, while the tables collected a sum of $68,459,743.
In 2022, after 3.5 years of being operational, EBH recorded an annual Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of $729,724,772. This figure surpassed the yearly totals for 2019 and 2020, more than doubling them.
In December 2022, the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of Encore Boston Harbor was recorded.
| Month | Slot GGR | Table GGR | Total Slot and Table GGR |
Total (25%) in collected state taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2022 | $27,874,734.20 | $26,084,612.47 | $53,959,346.67 | $13,489,836.67 |
| February 2022 | $31,054,019.69 | $23,688,641.56 | $54,742,661.25 | $13,685,665.31 |
| March 2022 | $35,181,572.90 | $29,685,959.75 | $64,867,532.65 | $16,216,883.16 |
| April 2022 | $34,118,122.32 | $29,620,598.98 | $63,738,721.30 | $15,934,680.33 |
| May 2022 | $32,624,183.92 | $25,408,848.58 | $58,033,032.50 | $14,508,258.13 |
| June 2022 | $31,468,282.71 | $28,589,032.87 | $60,057,315.58 | $15,014,328.90 |
| July 2022 | $35,051,906.67 | $29,672,721.61 | $64,724,628.28 | $16,181,157.07 |
| August 2022 | $35,372,908.84 | $22,711,324.56 | $58,084,233.40 | $14,521,058.35 |
| September 2022 | $32,941,867.36 | $28,642,137.95 | $61,584,005.31 | $15,396,001.33 |
| October 2022 | $33,677,401.58 | $28,365,680.78 | $62,043,082.36 | $15,510,770.59 |
| November 2022 | $32,841,989.82 | $26,588,480.33 | $59,430,470.15 | $14,857,617.54 |
| December 2022 | $34,984,642.31 | $33,475,100.78 | $68,459,743.09 | $17,114,935.77 |
| Total | $729,724,772.54 | $182,431,193.15 |
Annual Growth at Encore Boston Harbor
| Total GGR | Total in collected state taxes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $313,943,179.12 | $78,485,794.80 |
| 2020 | $331,716,869.90 | $82,929,217.48 |
| 2021 | $634,395,489.92 | $158,598,872.48 |
| 2022 | $729,724,772.54 | $182,431,193.15 |
| 2023 | $124,562,103.20 | $31,140,525.80 |
| Total | $2,134,342,414.68 | $533,585,603.67 |
Newsworthy Update: Anticipated Welcome Bonuses for the 11 Online Sportsbooks in Massachusetts
MGM Springfield
In August 2018, MGM Springfield commenced operations. Prior to the pandemic, the year 2019 proved to be its most lucrative. In December 2022, the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) experienced a 1.94% growth from November, reaching a total of $22,470,286.
In March 2022, MGM Springfield had its most successful month, generating a total revenue of $24,280,522. This was comprised of $17,640,504 from slot machines and $4,829,782 from table games.
In 2022, the casino achieved its most successful year, generating an impressive annual Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of $259,137,459.
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) at MGM Springfield in December 2022.
| Month | Slot GGR | Table GGR | Total Slot and Table GGR |
Total (25%) in collected state taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2022 | $14,386,892.72 | $4,214,795.50 | $18,601,688.22 | $4,650,422.06 |
| February 2022 | $15,711,906.08 | $4,220,007.75 | $19,931,913.83 | $4,982,978.46 |
| March 2022 | $18,837,606.75 | $5,442,915.75 | $24,280,522.50 | $6,070,130.63 |
| April 2022 | $18,404,598.73 | $4,135,430.05 | $22,540,028.78 | $5,635,007.20 |
| May 2022 | $17,113,181.60 | $4,039,067.85 | $21,152,249.45 | $5,288,062.36 |
| June 2022 | $16,936,388.21 | $4,209,619.31 | $21,146,007.52 | $5,286,501.88 |
| July 2022 | $17,275,318.86 | $4,242,403.60 | $21,517,722.46 | $5,379,430.62 |
| August 2022 | $17,518,085.09 | $4,474,746.40 | $21,992,831.49 | $5,498,207.87 |
| September 2022 | $16,358,042.03 | $4,213,605.83 | $20,571,647.86 | $5,142,911.97 |
| October 2022 | $17,980,905.48 | $4,917,880.59 | $22,898,786.07 | $5,724,696.52 |
| November 2022 | $17,327,291.21 | $4,706,483.14 | $22,033,774.35 | $5,508,443.59 |
| December 2022 | $17,640,504.18 | $4,829,782.52 | $22,470,286.70 | $5,617,571.68 |
| Total | $259,137,459.23 | $64,784,364.84 |
MGM Springfield Annual Growth
| Total GGR | Total in collected state taxes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $101,482,954.83 | $25,370,738.71 |
| 2019 | $252,642,750.41 | $63,160,687.62 |
| 2020 | $137,964,730.81 | $34,491,182.72 |
| 2021 | $247,034,037.74 | $61,758,509.44 |
| 2022 | $259,137,459.23 | $64,784,364.84 |
| 2023 | $46,111,240.70 | $11,527,810.18 |
| Total | $1,044,373,173.72 | $261,093,293.43 |
Additionally, make sure to check out: The List of 11 Online Sportsbook Apps Soon to Launch in Massachusetts.
Plainridge Park Casino
PPR, the oldest casino in the state, exclusively offers slot machines. It commenced operations in June 2015. In December, the slots at the Plainville casino generated $12,310,688 in GGR, reflecting a 7.46% growth compared to November. PPR had its most successful month in March, recording a GGR of nearly $13 million.
In 2017, PPR had its most successful year, generating a yearly GGR of $171,589,629. However, in 2020, their revenues hit a low point of $82,254,142 due to the pandemic. Fortunately, PPR’s revenue is gradually recovering and approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, the casino earned $143,063,200 in GGR.
The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) at Plainridge Park Casino in December 2022.
| Month | Slot GGR | Total in collected state taxes and rhdf (49%) |
|---|---|---|
| January 2022 | $9,842,331.07 | $4,822,742.22 |
| February 2022 | $10,950,511.23 | $5,365,750.50 |
| March 2022 | $12,937,163.66 | $6,339,210.19 |
| April 2022 | $12,908,918.51 | $6,325,370.07 |
| May 2022 | $11,731,163.49 | $5,748,270.11 |
| June 2022 | $11,967,439.63 | $5,864,045.42 |
| July 2022 | $12,498,196.15 | $6,124,116.11 |
| August 2022 | $11,961,566.29 | $5,861,167.48 |
| September 2022 | $12,199,572.68 | $5,977,790.61 |
| October 2022 | $12,363,500.65 | $6,058,115.32 |
| November 2022 | $11,392,148.60 | $5,582,152.81 |
| December 2022 | $12,310,688.75 | $6,032,237.49 |
| Total | $143,063,200.71 | $70,100,968.33 |
The Annual Growth of Plainridge Park Casino
| Total Slot GGR | Total collected state taxes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $88,230,548.03 | $43,232,968.52 |
| 2016 | $155,041,917.60 | $75,970,554.32 |
| 2017 | $164,786,229.97 | $80,745,252.68 |
| 2018 | $171,589,629.33 | $84,078,918.38 |
| 2019 | $151,948,969.73 | $74,454,990.79 |
| 2020 | $82,254,142.69 | $40,304,529.91 |
| 2021 | $139,347,781.80 | $68,280,413.08 |
| 2022 | $143,063,200.71 | $70,100,968.33 |
| 2023 | $24,207,398.73 | $11,861,625.38 |
| Total | $1,120,469,818.59 | $549,030,221.42 |
Tax Revenue Trends
The tax revenue generated by the casinos in Massachusetts historically aligned with the trajectory of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). In this state, the resort casinos are taxed at a rate of 25% of their GGR, while the slots-only PPC (Plainridge Park Casino) is taxed at a rate of 49%.
According to the Commonwealth’s gaming statute, 82% of PPC’s taxes are directed towards Local Aid, while the remaining 18% is allocated to the Race Horse Development Fund. The taxes from MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor are distributed among various state funds based on the regulations set forth by the gaming statute.
Since the opening of each gaming facility, Massachusetts has collected around $1.29 billion in total taxes and assessments from the casinos.
Additionally, it is important to note that six more applications have received the final approval for Massachusetts’ online sportsbook licenses.
What The Future Holds
In January 2025, the inclusion of sports betting in casino earnings will mark a significant milestone. Every casino will provide both in-person and online sports betting options.
A 20% tax has been implemented by Massachusetts on all mobile sports betting, while a 15% tax has been levied on in-person wagering. Additionally, nine percent of the tax revenue generated from sports betting will be allocated to the Public Health Trust Fund. This fund aims to provide resources to tackle problem gambling and promote responsible gaming.
Just in time for the year’s biggest sports event, the Super Bowl, customers have the opportunity to make in-person bets on Jan. 31. Casinos are allowed to collaborate with a maximum of two online sports betting operators.
Some of the casino’s sports betting partners include:
- The collaboration between Encore Boston Harbor and WynnBET alongside Caesars Sportsbook.
- MGM Springfield: BetMGM Sportsbook
- The casino known as Plainridge Park Casino now offers the exciting Penn Sports Interactive platform, which is also known as Barstool Sportsbook.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has granted licenses, with individualized conditions, to all mobile sports betting partners for the casinos after conducting public hearings starting in December.
Every month, the MGC publishes revenue reports for casinos, which include information about their earnings. The upcoming revenue report, scheduled to be released in mid-February, will only cover one day in January. It will be interesting to find out how well the newly established retail sportsbooks in the Commonwealth performed, considering the months of anticipation and preparation leading up to the launch of sports betting.
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