Maryland Benefits from Increase in Gaming Revenue

Casino revenues have been steadily increasing in Maryland. The five state casinos' revenues for October 2015 totalled a massive $94.7 million, which represents an increase from the $66.84 million reported in November 2013, and $43 million in November 2012.

The largest casino in state, Maryland Live, generated the bulk of the October revenue with $54.9 million (9.3% increase from October 2014). This casino boasts over 4,200 slot machines, earning it a spot in the Top 15 Casinos for Slots article from Strictly Slots magazine. The casino also has 189 live-action table games.

The second-largest contender, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, generated $24.6 million, which is an increase of 9.8% from last year. Horseshoe, a part of Caesars Entertainment, opened in August 2014.

Smaller scale casinos have made impressive contributions as well. Hollywood Casino Perryville  reported $6.2 million in October, and Casino At Ocean Downs, a slots-only center, generated $4.6 million from their 800 slot machines – an increase of 13%.

A sixth casino, MGM National Harbor, is scheduled to open later in 2016. All these revenue hikes bode well for the Maryland Education Trust Fund, which receives 20% of casino revenue.

 

Japan Delays Gaming Bill

While many countries in Asia play big roles in the gaming industry, Japan has for the most part held back on legalization. With the 2020 Olympics set to take place in Tokyo, there has been increased pressure to approve the gaming bill. Many advocates want to see the tax proceeds go to funding the infrastructure bills for the upcoming games. The first of two required gaming bills kept getting deferred until it was finally taken off the table for 2015.

Wynn Resorts Limited has already stated that they intend on spending billions to set up gaming centers, if the market opens up. It still might – an investor's report revealed that the bill should be revisited in 2016.

 

Atlantic City Casino Busted for Shuffling Offenses

In order to maintain the integrity of casino gaming and protect public interest, the State Gaming Enforcement agency was established in New Jersey in 1977. It's currently run by Director David L. Rebuck, who has made a few notable busts.

In 2013, Rebuck fined the Showboat Casino, which operated from 1987 to 2014, for shuffling offenses. On nine occasions between September 2012 and 2013, the casino used cards that were not shuffled by a machine. The casino was warned in April 2013; Rebuck had four occasions on record, in which cards were not shuffled before being dealt to customers. On one occasion, 11 minutes of play elapsed with the unshuffled cards. The casino stated that they would correct the issue, but failed to do so, resulting in a $7,000 fine. Details regarding how many clients won or lost due to unshuffled cards were not disclosed.