Ohio’s four casinos post rise in revenue during May

Greg Stockard deals cards at a blackjack table at Hollywood Casino Toledo, which posted revenue of $16.2 million in May.

After a financially rough April, the sun came back out for Ohio casinos during May.

Hollywood Casino Columbus experienced the largest improvement in monthly revenue of the four casinos in the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s May report, bringing in about $1 million more than in April to reach $18.3 million in revenue. The casino had suffered a decline in April, bringing in $3.4 million less than in March.

Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, also hit by a $3.4 million fall in revenue in April, took in $17.2 million in May for an increase of about half a million dollars, and Horseshoe Casino Cleveland’s revenue rose by a similar amount to $19.5 million.

Least affected by the April drop was Hollywood Casino Toledo. It took in $16.2 million in May, an uptick of about $85,000 over April, the smallest gain of the four.

Jessica Franks, communications director for the Ohio Casino Control Commission, attributed the improved numbers to the quirks of the calendar. There were five Saturdays in May, Ms. Franks said, which gave additional opportunities for casino visitors.

She added that improved weather also might have encouraged patrons to head out in search of entertainment.

Ms. Franks said the rise of the “racino,” a combination casino and racetrack, across the state made it difficult to predict if the traditional casinos’ numbers would remain on the upswing. Two more racinos will open in Ohio by the end of this year for a total of seven.

“The gaming market in Ohio is still evolving,” Ms. Franks said.