Lottery, Gaming Revenues Continue To Increase In Maryland

They both brought in $1.3-billion in fiscal year 2019.

 

Baltimore, Md (KM) It was another successful year for Maryland Lottery and Gaming. Director Gordon Medenica says both took in $1.311-billion in fiscal year 2019, a 4.7% increase compared to the previous year.

Medenica says the Lottery itself  took in $2.197-billion in fiscal 2019, the fourth year in a row that Lottery revenues set a record. He says Lottery players also benefited. “In total, they had $1.36-billion in prizes,” he said. That’s $3.7-million a day  in prizes, he says.

He attributes a lot of this success to scratch off tickets. “There, we’re looking at five consecutive record years in a row, and in total, we’re up to $812-million in sales of scratch off tickets. And I believe that will continue to be a very important growth in the future as well,” he says.

Retailers who sell lottery tickets also reaped rewards in fiscal year 2019. “In total, it was $165-million. But the average per retailer was $37,000 that retailers made from their commissions serving our lottery players,” says Medenica. “We’re very happy with their performance and I’m they’re happy for  the compensation they receive for the great work they do.” The Lottery has 4,500 retail locations across Maryland.

The Lottery made $593.1-million in contributions to the state, according to Medenica.

Maryland’s six casinos also did very well in fiscal year 2019. Medenica says the state took in $1.760-billion from casinos, which is an increase of $81.4-million from fiscal year 2018. He says $717.5-million was contributed  to the State of Maryland. “Now within that $717-million, the number that most people really focus on is the contribution to the Education Trust Fund. There, another all time record of $543-million. And, again, that is crucial funding for education in Maryland of which we are so proud,” he said.

That’s a $46-million more than fiscal year 2018, or 9.3%,

The money in the Educational Trust Fund is used for early childhood education, primary and secondary education, and school construction and capital improvement programs.

Casino revenues also provided $92.8-million for local aid divided between impact aid and local jurisdictions. Maryland’s horse racing industry received $76.6-million divided between the Racetrack Facility Renewal and Horse Racing Purse Dedication accounts. There was also $5.3-million for responsible gaming programs.

 

 

By Kevin McManus