By: Nicholas Sohr

Slot machines have been pumping millions into Maryland’s coffers since the first terminals were opened to the public Sept. 27. But table games, which will certainly be debated during the 2012 legislative session and likely with more fervor than they were this year, may not be such a safe bet for the state.

Tropicana Casino and Resort had the worst April of any of the 11 casinos in Atlantic City, which altogether didn’t have a great month. In AC casino terms, that means $289.4 million in revenue from slots and table games, down from $311.5 million a year ago, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

So, what ails the Trop?

“We ran very unlucky,” Mark Giannantonio, Tropicana’s outgoing chief executive officer, told the newspaper.

He said one blackjack player won $5.8 million at high-stakes tables in April.

“If it hadn’t been for bad luck at the tables, we would have had a good month,” Giannantonio said.

Table game revenues were down 54 percent, to $3.2 million. And blackjack tables actually lost money, some $1.86 million, according to a New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement report.