August revenues tick up slightly but still disappointing
STAFF REPORT
Total gaming receipts for Massachusetts casinos in September were down by about $1 million over August revenues according to figures released last week by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Total September gaming revenues amounted to approximately $70 million.
Encore’s figures reflected a slight gain (about $100,000) in slot machine
revenues with gaming table revenues up about $500,000 over August.
The figures were a general disappointment, according to a wide variety of industry sources.
However, they are believed to reflect the negative effect the virus is having on all industries requiring large crowds for generating big numbers.
As long as that persists, the figures are going to reflect very little growth according to industry experts. August gaming income revealed Encore carrying the ball for all the casino entities in Massachusetts when it reported Encore had done $43.3 million in revenues – $23.3 million in slots revenues and $19 million in table game revenues.
The total state takes from MGM Springfield and Plainridge in addition to Encore was about $70.8 million with Encore recording the lion’s share of the income by a wide margin.
Connecticut casino gaming revenues continue to top all of those in Massachusetts by a wide margin, revealing, analysts believe, the value in consumer preference based on the comfort zone gamblers enjoy at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.
When Encore opened in June 2019, it was believed Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods would have to close down.
That scenario has never materialized.