Massachusetts first gambling venue made close to $20 million in gross gambling revenue in its first full month in business.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported through its website that Plainridge Park Casino raked in $18,155,783.86 GGR, which amounts to $8.9 million for the state.
“It is anticipated that Plainridge Park Casino will generate approximately $200 million of gross gaming revenue in the first full year of operations, which would translate to approximately $98 million in revenues to the Commonwealth,” the state commission said.
Plainridge Park Casino, operated by Penn National Gaming, opened to the public last June 24. The $250-million casino is an integrated racing and gaming facility that includes live harness-racing track in Plainville, Massachusetts. Its gaming area features 1,250 of slot machines, video poker, and video blackjack, among others, but it doesn’t have table games.
The 106,000 square foot racing and gaming facility currently employs more than 600 people and generated 1,200 construction jobs.
Plainridge Park is expected to compete with Twin River Casino in Rhode Island for Massachusetts customers, but gambling experts believe the casino’s real test will come when two new casinos start operating.
MGM Resorts was originally scheduled to open its $800 million resort casino in Springfield in 2017, but MGM officials delayed its opening date by a year. The company said the Interstate 91 viaduct’s rehabilitation project will close important lanes and exits near the casino project, making it difficult for MGM to follow its initial plan.
Wynn Resorts is also building a $1.7-billion hotel and casino resort on the bank of Mystic River in Everett.
Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is considering a new casino bid for the city of Brockton. But there are speculations that the state regulator might not award the license—the state’s fourth and last license—to Mass Gaming and Entertainment due to lack of competition and concerns that the casino market will be saturated.
