Maryland Casino GGR Drops 6 Percent in August for Fourth Consecutive Monthly Decline
TL;DR — Maryland casinos posted $160 million GGR in August, down 6% YoY and the fourth consecutive monthly decline. YTD revenue through August stands at $1.28 billion, off 2.5%. Larger operators led the drop while smaller venues gained; economic sentiment and prediction markets are listed as factors.
SCCG Take — The consistent declines place added focus on how casino operators calibrate to softening consumer demand before new capacity arrives in 2030. Final-quarter results will test whether the slowdown is transitory.
Maryland casinos generated $160 million in gross gaming revenue during August. The total reflects a 6 percent year-over-year decline of nearly $10.3 million, according to data from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency as first reported by Casino.org.
This marks the fourth straight month of lower win compared with 2025. May revenue fell 3.7 percent to $169.9 million. June decreased 2.4 percent to $156.8 million. July dropped 4.7 percent to $157.9 million. Through August, statewide casino revenue reached approximately $1.28 billion, down 2.5 percent or $33.5 million from the prior year. January and February also posted lower GGR.
Property-Level Results
MGM National Harbor recorded $535.9 million in GGR through August, a 3.4 percent decline. Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland generated $466 million, down 3 percent. The two properties account for the vast majority of state gaming tax revenue.
Ocean Downs increased 3.8 percent to $67.5 million. Rocky Gap rose 2.1 percent to $31.2 million.
What the Final Months Will Reveal
A Pew Research July survey found that only 24 percent of Americans rated current economic conditions as excellent or good, while 35 percent called them poor. Less than a quarter expected improvement over the next 12 months. The proliferation of online prediction markets is cited as another possible diversion from traditional casino play. Maryland offers online sports betting but does not have iGaming.
Performance in the remaining months of 2026 will show whether the declines represent a temporary setback or evidence of a more prolonged slowdown. The Sphere at MGM National Harbor is not expected to open until around 2030.
Reporting: Casino.org News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Four consecutive monthly declines signal a demand problem that won't fix itself with hope and a 2030 Sphere opening.
We track revenue patterns across every regulated market, and when two dominant properties lose momentum together while smaller competitors gain, it's not weather — it's positioning. Maryland's slide comes as consumer confidence craters and prediction markets siphon attention. Operators need to recalibrate now, not wait for Q4 to confirm the trend.
- August GGR $160M, down 6% YoY; YTD $1.28B off 2.5%
- MGM National Harbor and Live! Maryland both declining; Ocean Downs and Rocky Gap growing
- Consumer sentiment weak, prediction markets rising, no iGaming option in state
SCCG angle: SCCG works with operators facing revenue pressure to optimize player acquisition, diversify amenities, and explore adjacencies like entertainment partnerships or retail media — using our network across 545 partners to find the edges competitors miss while waiting for macro conditions to improve.
Gaming, betting and prediction markets — the desk’s read, every weekday.
Subscribe →