Massachusetts Casinos Make $97 Million in October, Opposition to iGaming Bill

Commercial casinos in Massachusetts generated $96.9 million in October, a 2.8% year-on-year increase from the $94.2 million generated in October 2024. 

Of the total, slots generated $71.7 million, representing an 8.2% year-on-year increase from $66.3 million. However, slots saw a double-digit loss of 10%, declining from $27.9 million to $25.1 million. 

In other news, Massachusetts is currently considering the legalization of online casino gambling, with House Bill 4431 having its first hearing on November 13. 

It faced opposition from former state representative David Nangle, who told the Joint Committee on Economic Development of his struggles with gambling and the impacts the state could face if online gambling is legalized. 

MGM Springfield Sees Highest Gains in October 

The latest report from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission shows that of the three commercial casinos in the state, two experienced year-on-year revenue increases. At the same time, its revenue remained stable. 

The MGM Springfield Casino saw the highest year-on-year revenue increase in October, with revenue rising by 9% from $22.1 million to $24.1 million. Both slot and table games revenue for the casino rose by 9%, with slot revenue increasing from $18.1 million to $19.8 million, and table games revenue rising from just under $4 million to $4.3 million. 

Additionally, Plainridge Park Casino also saw revenue increase, rising 6.4% from $14.3 million to $15.2 million. The casino does not offer table games, so all revenue is generated from slots. 

In contrast, the Encore Boston Harbor saw revenue remain stable, with a minor decline of 0.4% from $57.9 million to $57.6 million. Slot revenue for the venue rose 8.6% from $33.9 million to $36.8 million. However, table games revenue saw a decline of 13.2%, decreasing from just under $24 million to $20.8 million. 

Encore Boston Harbor Strongly Opposes iGaming Bill

Following the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies' consideration of online casino gambling legalization in Massachusetts last week, the Encore Boston Harbor casino has made its strong opposition known. 

The casino’s Executive Director of Government Relations, Eileen McAnney, stated that the legalization of online gambling would cause problem gambling rates to rise. Additionally, it could cause land-based operations to suffer, along with its 3000 person workforce. Additionally, the approximately $15 million a month the casino pays in taxes could also fall with the introduction. 

In a testimony, McAnney said, “The rationale that internet casino gambling will increase state revenues does not factor in the significant cannibalization of brick-and-mortar gaming taxes, lost hotel, restaurant, and entertainment tax revenues, lost tax revenues stemming from significant job losses, lost tax revenue from reductions in casino purchases from small businesses and suppliers, and the social costs related to increased problem gambling, bankruptcies, welfare, health care costs, homelessness, domestic violence and family seperation, criminal justice impacts, and more.”

Following its first hearing last week, the bill, aimed at curbing illegal gambling and increasing tax revenue, has garnered both support and opposition and is now awaiting its December 17 reporting deadline.