Casino revenues up across Ohio

5/7/2018

Gaming revenues were up at three of Ohio’s four full-service casinos in April, including the Hollywood Casino Toledo. 

The Penn National Gaming property on the banks of the Maumee River reported taking in $18.2 million last month, up from $17.9 million in April, 2017. While the increase was relatively small — less than 2 percent — it was enough to give the casino its best April total on record, breaking the previous mark set in 2016 by a few hundred thousand dollars.

Gambling revenues were also up at Toledo’s sister property in Columbus, with the Hollywood Casino Columbus reporting an increase of 2.7 percent to $19.3 million. Gaming revenues at Jack Cincinnati Casino rose 1.2 percent to $17.5 million.

The Jack Cleveland Casino was the outlier in April, with revenues plunging 4.6 percent to $16.7 million. That was the worst April for Cleveland’s casino in the six years it has been open. 

Overall, statewide gaming revenues totaled $71.8 million last month, up less than 1 percent from the prior year.

The figures come from a report by the Ohio Control Commission, released on Monday. The commission’s monthly reports include only revenue from gambling. Revenues collected from the sale of food, drink, merchandise, and event tickets are not included.

Though April was essentially flat, the industry is ahead of where it was through the year’s first four months in 2017. Data from the state show total gaming revenues from the state’s four casinos were $284.2 million through April, up 2.2 percent from the year prior.

Separately, the Ohio Lottery Commission reported gambling revenues from the state’s seven racinos, which pair slots and video gaming with horse racing, came in at $89.7 million in April. That’s up more than 8 percent from 2017.