Maryland Casinos Generate $159.8 million in December, Falling 2.6% Year-on-Year

Casinos in Maryland generated $159.8 million in December, a 2.6% year-on-year decrease from the $164.1 million generated in December the year prior.  

Of the total, table games generated $50.7 million, a 2.5% decrease from $52 million in 2024. Slot revenue also declined, falling 2.7% from $112.1 million in 2024 to $109 million in 2025.  

Despite the more disappointing month for Maryland casinos, one casino has revealed a new addition to its team. Live! Casino & Hotel has announced its new Senior Vice President of Property Operations, James Reyes. As part of his new role, Reyes will be responsible for hotel operations, facilities, security, and food & beverage in the casino.  

While one casino broadens its operations, a separate study was released revealing that disordered gambling is on the rise in the Old Line State.  

One Big Win For Maryland Casinos  

The latest report from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency shows that of the six casinos in the state, three are facing losses, two remain stable, and one has seen a double-digit year-on-year revenue increase.  

The Horseshoe Casino saw the most significant revenue increase, rising 12.2% year-on-year from $13.2 million to $14.9 million. Slot revenue for the casino saw a 14.4% increase, rising from $9.3 million to $10.6 million, while table games revenue grew 7% year-on-year from $3.9 million to $4.2 million.  

Revenue for the Live! Casino & Hotel remained stable in December, with a minor decline of 0.6% from $59.1 million to $58.8 million. Additionally, casino revenue at Rocky Gap remained stable, increasing by 1.4% from $3.89 million to $3.95 million.  

The biggest loser in Maryland was the MGM National Harbor Casino. While it generated the highest revenue in the state of $68.4 million, this was a decline from the $73.6 million generated in November 2024. Both table games and slots saw revenue decline, with slots revenue falling 7.3% from $43.3 million to $40.2 million while table games revenue fell 7.1% from $30.3 million to $28.2 million.  

 Other losses were faced by the Ocean Downs Casino, which saw revenue decline 3.3% from $7.1 million to $6.8 million, and the Hollywood Casino, which saw revenue fall 2.1% year-on-year from $7.1 million to just under $7 million.  

Study Shows Rise in Disordered Gambling in Maryland 

As casino revenue faces losses, a report from the University of Maryland has warned of a rise in disordered gambling since the legalization of mobile sports betting in the state.  

After legalizing sports betting in November 2022, the study of over 3,600 participants has shown that disordered gambling in the state has risen by 42% from 4% to 5.7%, according to a survey conducted by the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM).  

Disordered gambling is defined as a persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior, with doctors warning that the brain responds to gambling in the same way as other addictions.  

Additionally, there have been reports of an increase in calls from teenagers who are exhibiting signs of risky betting, with some reportedly dealing with bookmakers.  

Dr. Chirstopher Welsh, Medical Director at the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling and Professor of Psychiatry at UMSOM said, "It's very similar to other addictions so looking at compulsive gambling you can't stop even if you are having issues like losing money, people don't actually think about it, but you can have withdrawal from gambling the same way you can from alcohol people actually get jittery."  

While there has been an uptick in gambling, support is available from 1-800-GAMBLER, with specialists ready to help connect people with local resources, including the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling and the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.