Mississippi’s casino revenue dramatically increases in March as pandemic protocols remain

April 17, 2021 12:15 AM
  • Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports
April 17, 2021 12:15 AM
  • Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports

March gaming revenues increased in Mississippi from February even as some restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to be rescinded.

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Casinos in the state brought in $248.8 million in gambling revenue for the month compared to $172.4 million in February, according to the Mississippi Gaming Commission’s monthly report released on Friday. That’s a 126.3% increase from the $109.9 million in revenue received in March 2020.

In early March, the commission announced that protocols implemented in 2020, including mandatory use of masks or face shields and a limit of 75% of total capacity, would remain in place.

The sports betting handle was $50.5 million in March, an increase of 5.6% from February’s $47.8 million, but lagging behind January’s record handle of $67.7 million. Taxable revenue from sports betting was $5.2 million, compared to $4.6 million in February.

The total handle for sports betting at casinos in Mississippi’s Coastal Region, which includes Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis, was $33.4 million, with taxable revenue of $3.1 million. The handle at casinos in the Central Region (Adams, Warren, and Washington counties) was $10.1 million with taxable revenue of $1.4 million. In the Northern Tier, which includes Tunica and Lula counties, the handle was $7.1 million, with taxable revenue of $729,741.

Overall, casinos in the Coastal Region brought in $147.8 million, an increase of 123% from March 2020’s $66.5 million.

Northern Tier casinos took in $62.7 million in March compared to the previous year’s $29.3 million over the same period, a 114% increase.

Casinos in the Central Region accounted for $38.3 million, an increase of 171.6% from the $14.1 million in March 2020.