Casino drew more than 3 million visitors in first year

Bedford, Mich. resident Greg Stockard deals cards at a blackjack table during the Hollywood Casino one year anniversary celebration Friday.

To celebrate its one year anniversary, Hollywood Casino Toledo added up the numbers.

As in: 145,000 decks of cards used by dealers, 23,000 pounds of prime beef served, and 3,406,005 visits.

At a news conference today to promote the casino’s first year, General Manager Richard St. Jean said the number of visitors exceeded the casino’s estimations by 600,000 patrons, including 74 percent who came from outside Lucas County and 44 percent who came from outside Ohio.

“We are very appreciative for how the community has supported us in Year One, and look forward to investing ourselves even more in Year Two,” he said.

Attending the news conference was Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, who wished the casino a “happy birthday.”

“If all 1-year-olds could do what they have been able to do in one year we really would be moving as a city and as a world,” he said.

Mr. Bell acknowledged the casino was “controversial” initially, but said to him the proposition was always simple. It would bring jobs and help turn the city around, he said. He pointed to tax revenue generated by the state’s casinos, which added about $4.3 million into the city’s coffers.

Casino taxes also generated $1.6 million for Lucas County, said Carol Contrada, president of the county commissioners.

The casino also drew praise from Rossford Mayor Neil A. MacKinnon, who said its employees have supported Rossford's businesses and said there's no increase in crime linked to the casino.