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Massachusetts Casino Revenue Up 5.5% Year-on-Year in August

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: September 17, 2024 2:08 PM EDT • 1 min 56 sec read.

Chips are piled up on a craps table as we look at Massachusetts casino and sportsbook revenue for August 2024.
Chips are piled up on a craps table. Photo by: Deb Cram/USA TODAY NETWORK.

There may be not real-money online casinos in Massachusetts, but the state has access to several of our best sports betting sites through a booming legal sports betting market. Both saw improved numbers in August.

The three retail casinos in Massachusetts combined for $103.3 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in August, according to the from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).

The figure represents a 5.5% year-on-year increase from $97.9 million last August and the closest figure to the $111.1 million record set in March. 

The details

Leading the pack, Massachusetts’ largest casino, Encore Boston Harbor, collected $64.9 million in GGR and reported the highest month-on-month rise of 5.6%. MGM Springfield followed with $23.7 million, a slight 0.4% uptick from July, while Plainridge Park Casino rounded out the group with a 2.0% increase and $14.7 million in GGR.

All three casinos also reported revenue growth compared with the same month last year. Plainridge Park saw the largest year-over-year increase of 12.4%, while MGM Springfield saw a mere 0.6% rise. Encore Boston Harbor’s GGR was up 5.9% year-on-year.

The upward trend in revenue also meant higher tax contributions from the casinos. In August, the three properties paid a combined $29.3 million in taxes. Plainridge Park Casino, classified as a Category 2 slots facility, contributed $7.2 million, taxed at 49%. This revenue helps fund the Race Horse Development Fund and Local Aid.

Meanwhile, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor, which are taxed at 25%, paid $5.9 million and $16.2 million, respectively. These contributions go toward state funds like the Education Fund, Local Capital Improvements Fund, and Public Health Trust Fund.

Sports betting figures up again

The Massachusetts sports betting market also had a standout month. The MGC reported $33.1 million in sports betting revenue, marking a 48% increase compared to $22.4 million last August. This latest increase comes after the state also reported a solid 40% year-on-year increase in revenue in July. Online operators dominated the market, with our best sports betting apps accounting for $32.7 million or 98.9% of August’s total.

DraftKings online sportsbook took the top spot in August, collecting $16.2 million in revenue, more than the second and third-place operators combined. FanDuel took second with almost $10.7 million in revenue, while BetMGM saw nearly $2.3 million in third place.

Bally Bet reported the lowest total of $222,371.65, but August marked its first full month of operating in the state after launching on July 2.

Massachusetts gambling options

As mentioned, the Bay State is home to three land-based casinos. Legislators signed the Expanded Gaming Act in 2011, but Plainridge Park opened as the first land-based casino venue in June 2015. MGM Springfield opened its doors in August 2018, followed by Encore Boston Harbor in June 2019.

The state also offers retail sports wagering at the three casinos, including Barstool Sportsbook at Plainridge Park, BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield, and WynnBET at Encore Boston Harbor. Seven online sportsbooks are available, including Bally Bet, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, and FanDuel.

Written By:
Ziv Chen
Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.