New York Casinos Experience 10.2% Year-on-Year Revenue Rise in May

According to figures released by the state’s gambling regulator, the New York State Gaming Commission, New York state's commercial casino sector has recorded its second-best monthly revenue total. 

Total gross gaming revenue for New York’s four commercial casinos hit $62.9 million in May, up from last year’s total of $57.1 million and representing a year-on-year rise of 10.2%. Total gross gaming revenue was also up month-on-month, rising from $56.7 million recorded in April, a monthly increase of 10.7%. 

Slots gaming returned the most impressive figures for May, recording $45.3 million of gaming revenue, a rise of 11.6% year-on-year. Table game revenue also increased, to $16.2 million, for a rise of 7.3% on the return for May last year, while poker gaming and sports betting contributed less than $1 million to the industry total. 

The state doesn't have a legal real-money online casino market.

Positive month

Each of New York’s four casinos, Del Lago Resort and Casino, Resorts World Catskills, Rivers Casino and Resort, and Tioga Downs, reported year-on-year revenue increases for May. 

Rivers Casino and Resort paved the way for the other casinos, generating the most gross gaming revenue at $19.6 million, rising from $17 million, a year-on-year increase of 11.2%. In comparison, Del Lago Resort and Casino had the largest revenue increase in May, rising from $12.9 million to $15.4 million, a year-on-year increase of 19%.

Following this, both Resorts World Catskills and Tioga Downs reported smaller revenue increases. Resorts World reported revenue growth of 5.8%, rising from $17 million to $18 million year-on-year, and Tioga Downs recorded a revenue rise of 4.3%, increasing from $9.3 million to $9.7 million.

Anti-sweepstakes operations

As the regulated casino sector continues to perform strongly in New York, the authorities have taken further action against sweepstakes casinos operating within the state, while the state’s anti-sweepstakes bill is still being considered.  

The Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, has announced that her office has enforced cessation of operations on 26 sweepstakes casino platforms. The operators had received cease-and-desist letters from the Attorney General’s office, and it has now been confirmed that all 26 have agreed to end their commercial activity in the state. 

Sweepstakes casinos allow players to play casino-style games, including slot machines, with virtual currencies, some of which can be exchanged for prizes. This model has proven controversial in many parts of the US, and according to the New York Attorney General’s office, it is in breach of the state’s gaming law. 

Speaking about the enforcement action, the Attorney General said sweepstakes platforms put people at risk, as they are not subject to safety checks and other audits.

“Online sweepstakes casinos are illegal, dangerous, and can seriously ruin people’s finances. I thank the New York State Gaming Commission and Senator Addabbo for partnering with my office on this issue to protect New Yorkers,” James said.