PLAINVILLE - It’s been a tough month for officials at Plainridge Park Casino.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced this week it will hold a hearing after Plainridge officials violated their new sports betting license by taking bets on a Merrimack College men’s basketball game and a Boston College women’s hoop game
The license specifically prohibits bets on Massachusetts colleges unless they are competing in tournaments with a minimum number of teams.
The state’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau looked into the matter after Plainridge officials self-reported the violation. A similar incident occurred at Encore Boston in Everett. No date was set for the hearing.
Not only is Plainridge under the gaming commission's microscope, revenue is also down, according to figures released by the MGC this week.
Plainridge reported gross gaming revenue of more than $12.16 million in January, down from $12.31 million in December.
Gross gaming revenue is the difference between the total amount bet and what gamblers take home in winnings. Plainridge is taxed 49 percent on the amount.
In addition, the town of Plainville receives 1.5 percent of the gross gaming revenue. For January, that amounts to $182,500.03. The casino also pays approximately $1.5 million a year to the town in property taxes.
Plainridge wasn’t alone in reporting a decline, Encore Boston had a huge drop. Gross gaming revenue was more than $61.85 million last month, compared to $68.45 million in December.
MGM Springfield was the only casino in the state to earn more last month. MGM brought in more than $22.85 million last month, down from $22.47 million in December.
