Massachusetts Casinos Show 1.7% Revenue Increase in June amid Online Casino Bill Hearing

According to the latest figures released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the commercial casino sector in Massachusetts recorded a 1.7% year-on-year increase in revenue in June. 

The monthly report shows that the three regulated casinos in the state generated $97.7 million in gross gaming revenue in June, compared to $96.1 million in June 2024. The overall figure was down compared to the May 2025 return of $105.4 million, equating to a month-on-month revenue decline of just under 9%.

Overall Revenue Growth Despite Disappointing Encore Boston Figures

Boston’s casinos' revenue growth was all the more remarkable given the relatively poor performance of the state’s biggest revenue generator. 

Encore Boston Harbor accounted for around 63% of the combined revenue figure in June 2024 and a little under 62% this year, but it recorded a year-on-year decline. Gross gaming revenue at the venue was down by 0.2% from $60.4 million last year to $60.2 million this year. 

The state’s two other casino venues fared much better, however. MGM Springfield, which contributed around 23% of total revenue in June, showed a 4.1% increase year-on-year, to $22.8 million from last year’s $21.9 million. In percentage terms, Plainridge Park Casino performed even better. Its revenue increased from $13.8 million last June to $14.6 million in 2025, representing an impressive growth of 5.9%, year-over-year. 

Massachusetts Lawmakers Hear Online Casino Bill

While the Massachusetts retail casino sector continues to perform strongly, the state took a significant step towards legalizing online casinos last month. 

On June 23, the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on twin House and Senate bills, first brought forward in February, that would legalize iGaming and provide for ten iGaming licenses with a 20% tax rate. No vote was taken in June, but the legislature has until November 19 this year to act.

At the hearing, supporters of the bills emphasized potential tax benefits while emphasizing consumer safeguards. According to David Prestwood of DraftKings, the revenue from legalized iGaming could be worth as much as $275 million annually. He also stressed that legal platforms can offer a level of safety and responsible gambling promotion that illegal sites cannot. 

Opponents, however, warned of job losses and declines in retail casino revenue. According to Jaimie McNeil of Local 26 Hospitality Workers’ Union, the legalization could cost over 850 casino gaming jobs and nearly 2,790 support roles.

He also cited Atlantic City's example, where casino employment fell by 17% while iGaming expanded rapidly. Mark Stewart of the National Association Against iGaming also spoke against the bills at the hearing and projected a revenue drop of between 15% and 30% for retail casinos. 

However, the three Massachusetts casinos did not participate in the hearing. While MGM, which operates the MGM Springfield, and PENN, which runs the Encore Boston Harbor, are expected to support the measure, Wynn Resorts, the operator of Plainridge Park Casino, may oppose it as it no longer has an iGaming market presence.