OHIO

Gambling revenue for month increases

Toledo, other 3 casinos do well

6/8/2017
BY TYREL LINKHORN
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Gambling revenue at Ohio’s four full-service casinos showed a healthy increase in May, suggesting the industry may have stabilized somewhat after a nearly yearlong run of poor year-over-year comparisons.

At Hollywood Casino Toledo, May gaming revenue was $17.3 million, a 4.9 percent increase from last year.
At Hollywood Casino Toledo, May gaming revenue was $17.3 million, a 4.9 percent increase from last year.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission reported Wednesday that statewide gaming revenue was $70.2 million last month, a 5.5 percent increase over the same month last year.

State officials said revenue was up at all four individual properties.

At Hollywood Casino Toledo, May gaming revenue was $17.3 million, a 4.9 percent increase from last year. Revenues were up 6.8 percent over last year at Jack Cincinnati Casino. The Jack Cleveland Casino was up the most, reporting an 8.8 percent increase to $17.4 million. The Hollywood Casino Columbus had the smallest year-over-year increase, at 3.6 percent, but also had the highest revenues by a wide margin, at $18.4 million.

There was one caveat to the Cleveland gambling house’s May numbers. In May, 2016, the casino was closed for 40 hours as it rebranded to Jack from the previous Horseshoe brand.

Even so, the industry-wide growth was nearly on pace with the growth of the state’s seven racinos, which saw 6 percent revenue growth in May. Industry experts have said that though the racinos don’t offer card games, they’re still doing a good job competing for — and in many cases, winning — gamblers’ dollars.

Over the last several months, the racinos have posted much better year-over-year comparisons. The fact that the state’s casinos’ growth is mostly in line with the state’s racinos may signal good news going forward.

Year-to-date, the state’s four casinos have brought in total gaming revenue of $348.2 million, down less than 1 percent from the $351.4 million they collected at the same point in 2016.

The figures reported by the state include only gaming revenues. Revenue from the sale of food, beverages, and merchandise are not included. State law levies a 33 percent tax on gaming revenues, with that money divided among school districts, county governments, and some larger cities, including Toledo.

Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.