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Massachusetts Shows Mixed Results in June 2023 Revenue Report

Massachusetts Shows Mixed Results in June 2023 Revenue Report

Posted on: Jul 18, 2023. Last Updated on: Jul 18, 2023.

Author: Editorial Team

Massachusetts shows an 8% increase in casino GGR for June

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The online sports wagering sector, which was introduced in Massachusetts in March, experienced a significant decline of 46% in taxable revenue, dropping from $59.4 million in May to $32.05 million in June. This decrease is not entirely unexpected, given the relative newness of online sports betting in the state. Many fluctuations were anticipated during the initial months, even though the general assumption was that the practice would gain traction steadily.

On the other hand, the land-based casino segment showed promising signs, with an 8% rise in GGR compared to June 2022. The Encore Boston Harbor casino emerged as the leading player in the state, reporting $65.4 million in slots and table GGR, representing a 9% increase from the previous year. Of this total, table games accounted for $30.6 million, while slots contributed $34.7 million, resulting in $16.3 million in tax revenue for the state.

Steep Fall for Sports Betting

Despite the positive growth observed in casino table and slots revenue, sports wagering at Encore Boston Harbor faced a substantial setback, plummeting by 94% from May to June. Revenue dropped from $1.3 million to a mere $80,592 within a month. This steep decline demonstrates the volatility of the sports betting market and indicates that the industry has yet to find its stable footing in Massachusetts.

Since the launch of retail sports betting in January, Massachusetts has witnessed significant revenue disparities month by month. April's taxable revenue amounted to $364,481, whereas May's revenue surged to $1.5 million, largely due to the excitement surrounding the popular March Madness tournament. These fluctuations indicate that the sports betting market in Massachusetts is still in its nascent stage and has yet to achieve consistent revenue streams.

These findings might come as a surprise to those who anticipated sports betting to provide a stable source of tax revenue for Massachusetts, given the state's fervent sporting culture. However, it is important to recognize that the industry is still developing and evolving. As more time passes and the market matures, it is expected that the revenue figures will stabilize and demonstrate more consistent growth.

What Does This Mean for Massachusetts?

In conclusion, the June 2023 revenue report for Massachusetts unveiled a decline in overall taxable gaming revenue, primarily driven by a significant drop in online sports wagering. Nevertheless, the casino sector exhibited growth with an 8% increase in GGR compared to the previous year.

While the Encore Boston Harbor casino recorded positive numbers for its table and slot games, its sports wagering revenue experienced a sharp decline. The fluctuations in revenue emphasize that sports betting is still in its early stages in Massachusetts, and as the industry develops, more stability and consistent growth can be expected.