- MGM Springfield reported record revenue numbers in November as a result of being the only gambling establishment in Massachusetts offering poker to players.
- The largest casino in Massachusetts, Encore Boston Harbor, plans to bring the popular table game back to their casino by Feb. 1, 2022 after seeing revenues decline in November.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – MGM Springfield is seeing some incredible poker revenue figures as a result of the monopoly on the popular game.
November was the first month in which legal poker was available at the casino since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The MGM Springfield was the only option in November to legally play poker, as Massachusetts has not formally regulated state-based legal online gambling and the other gambling establishments in the state have yet to re-introduce the game following the pandemic.
As a result, for the month, the MGM Springfield casino saw higher revenue numbers than it has in any month in the last two years – as well as month-over-month revenue growth. Largely because of their temporary monopoly on poker, the strong month comes at a time when both of the other gaming centers in Massachusetts are witnessing a dip in monthly revenue.
MGM Springfield reported about $21.69 million in revenue for November, up from $21.44 million in October. Of this figure, over $5.7 million came from table games (including poker), the best month for table games at the establishment since October 2019.
Combined with the two other gambling establishments in Massachusetts, the Plainridge Park Casino and the Encore Boston Harbor, the state’s gambling venues brought in about $87.81 million in total revenue in November for approximately $24.5 million in state tax revenue, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said on Wednesday.
Monopoly Ends
MGM Springfield will not enjoy a monopoly on poker in Massachusetts for very long, however, as Encore Boston Harbor is planning to bring back poker by Feb. 1, 2022.
The return of poker could not come at a better time for Encore Boston Harbor, as they saw their November revenue drop to $55.17 million from their $62.8 million in October. Of their November revenue total, $30 million came from slot machines and $25.17 million came from table games.
Encore Boston Harbor, along with MGM Springfield, are taxed 25% of their gross gaming revenue – the Boston-area casino typically generates about half of the total gambling tax revenue Massachusetts receives monthly, so lawmakers and casino officials both have an incentive to bring poker back to the state’s other venues.