BALTOMORE: Horseshoe Casino Baltimore reported a revenue increase for the second straight month in November, continuing to rebound from the fallout of the city’s April riots.
The Horseshoe generated $24.5 million from slot machines and table games, an increase of 5.2 percent from November 2014, according to figures released Friday by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
Last month, the Horseshoe’s revenues were up 9.8 percent over the same month a year earlier.
November revenue results were mixed at other Maryland casinos. Overall earnings from the state’s five casinos slipped $425,404 — about half of one percent — to $89.7 million.
Maryland Live, the state’s largest casino, saw revenue fall 4 percent, to $51.6 million. But its gross gambling revenue per unit per day — what the casino keeps after players collect their winnings — remained well ahead of its Maryland competitors
Revenue dropped by 1.6 percent, to $6 million, at the Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County; increased by 1.8 percent, to $3.5 million, at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County; and jumped 15.6 percent, to $3.8 million, at the slots-only Casino at Ocean Downs in Worcester County.
At the Horseshoe, monthly revenues dipped below $24 million in April, May and June. The April riots that followed Freddie Gray’s death from injuries suffered in police custody hurt the casino’s earnings, just as they affected attendance at other city attractions.
“Horseshoe’s challenge remains Baltimore’s challenge — keep people coming into the city for entertainment,” said James Karmel, a casino analyst and history professor at Harford Community College.
The $442 million casino, which opened in August 2014, is transitioning to a new general manager. Chad Barnhill said in November that he is leaving this month to head the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati. He is being replaced by Erin Chamberlin, who comes to Baltimore from the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.
