Background

Maryland has a lottery and land-based, slots-only casinos.

Casinos

In 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland General Assembly enacted legislation that would allow the citizens of Maryland to vote on a limited number of slot machines in the state of Maryland.

On November 4, 2008, 58% of voters statewide approved the referendum. Voters in every county in Maryland approved the referendum. The referendum authorizes the state to issue up to five video lottery licenses for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education of children in public schools, pre-kindergarten through grade 12; public school construction and improvements; and construction of capital projects at community colleges and higher education institutions. No more than a total number of 15,000 video lottery terminals may be authorized in the state, and only one license may be issued for each specified location in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Worcester, and Allegany Counties, and Baltimore City. Any additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming in Maryland is prohibited, unless approved by a voter referendum.

Currently, Maryland has two locations: Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County and the Casino at Ocean Downs in Worcester County.

Taxes: Slot machines are taxed at a rate of 67% of all gross gaming revenues, with the folowing breakdown: Education Trust Fund, 48.5%; Purse Dedication, 7%; Local Impact Grants, 5.5%; Race Tracks Facility Renewal Account, 2.5%; Maryland Lottery, 2%; Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business, 1.5%. Table games are taxed at the rate of 20% of all gross gaming revenues, to the Education Trust Fund.

For more information, see the Maryland Lottery VLT Resources.

Lottery

Development: The Maryland Lottery’s core mission is to generate revenue to help support vital state programs and services. Since its inception in 1973, the Maryland Lottery has transitioned from an agency generating $41 million in annual sales to an over $1.577 billion enterprise. Total sales since its beginning total $28.6 billion, returning more than $10.5 billion to Maryland to help advance many essential services.

Beneficiaries: Lottery revenues are deposited into the State’s General Fund. Proceeds are contributed to support such services and programs as education, public health, human resources, public safety and much more, all of which greatly benefit the citizens of Maryland. Designated proceeds from the Mega Millions game benefit the Stadium Authority.

For more information see the Maryland Lottery website.

Powered by GamblingCompliance.com. For current information, visit GamblingData.com.

Total revenue is total ticket sales sales plus interest earned on the lottery fund balance and miscellaneous revenue sources . Prize liability is the total amount of prize money paid back to winners. Net Revenue is the total revenue minus vendor and retailer commissions and prize payouts and operating expenses; it is equal to "operating income." As of 2011, it includes casino revenues. Prize and net revenue percentages are taken from the total revenues.

"Slot Revenue" is the total amount, in dollars, won by casinos."Table Revenue" is the total amount, in dollars, won by casinos at tables. "Total Revenue" is the comibined slot/table revenue.

For monthly revenue data, see the Center's report (updated monthly):

Maryland Casinos: Monthly Revenues
Gross Terminal Revenue, Number of Machines, and Win/Unit/Day

Maryland Gaming Timeline

1973: Maryland Lottery begins operation

2007: Legislation permitted a referendum legalizing slot machines passes

2008: Referendum legalizing slot machines passes

2010: On September 30, Maryland's first casino, Hollywood Casino Perryville, opens.

2011: On January 4, Maryland's second casino, Casino at Ocean Downs, opens

2012: Maryland Live! (Hanover) opens on June 6

2013: Table game wagering began at Hollywood Perryville in March

2013: Table game wagering began at Maryland Live! in April

2013: Rocky Gap Cumberland opened on May 22

2013: Poker began at Maryland Live! in August

2013: Poker began at Rocky Gap in December

2014: Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened on August 26

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