Slots Revenue Rises More than 7.5 Percent in February

Revenues from casinos in Maryland rose by more than 7.5 percent in February, paced by nearly $39 million in revenues from the Maryland Live! casino.

Despite February being a shorter month, statewide revenue from Maryland's three casinos came in at $47.76 million, or about $3.4 million more than in January, according to new figures published by the Maryland Lottery. 

At Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills, revenue rose to $38.34 million, up from $35.9 million in January. 

The Hollywood Casino in Perryville saw revenues rise from $5.5 million to just under $6 million. 

Revenue at Ocean Downs rose from $2.9 million to $3.4 million. 

Overall casino revenue in the state has risen nearly $32.7 million, or more than 200 percent, since this same time last year. However, that figure is skewed by the addition of Maryland Live!, which opened in June. With Maryland Live! removed from the equation, casino revenue in the state declined by more than $5.6 million. 

Maryland Live! is the largest of the state's three casinos, with 4,750 slot machines. Each machine at Maryland Live! pulled in about $302 per day, on average. 

Casinos in the state are allowed to keep one-third of revenues. The rest is distributed to Maryland's Education Trust Fund, race track renewals, local impact grants and minority businesses.

Here's the breakdown for February: 

• Casino share: $15.7 million
• Education Trust Fund: $23.5 million
• Horse racing purse account: $3.34 million
• Local impact grants: $2.63 million

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