Ohio casinos and racinos report slight revenue decline to $202M in May

Casinos and racinos operating in Ohio took in $202 million in May, according to monthly reports released by the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Lottery on Tuesday, a slight decrease from the $209 million posted the same month last year.

Although casinos and racinos may be showing signs of slowing down, however, they are still on pace to reach -and even break- the record set in 2021. Casinos and racinos in the state have thus far posted $984 million of gambling revenue, $30 million ahead of the $954 million in revenue brought in over the first five months of 2021. That year ended with a new record of $2.31 billion in revenue.

Hollywood Columbus.

In terms of statewide casino revenue, casinos saw a slight decrease from last year with $86.6 million, just $155,670 less than in May 2021. Jack Cleveland Casino placed first among all venues, at $22.3 million.

The casino was followed by Hollywood Columbus ($21.9 million), Hard Rock Cincinnati ($21.8 million), and Hollywood Toledo ($20.5 million). Hard Rock Cincinnati posted revenue up from May 2021, while Jack Cleveland Casino, Hollywood Columbus, and Hollywood Toledo all experienced revenue drops.

MGM Northfield Park.

Racinos posted statewide revenue of $114.9 million, down 6% from the $122.3 delivered in May 2021. MGM Northfield Park placed first at $24.3 million in revenue, followed by Eldorado Scioto Downs ($20.5 million), and Miami Valley Gaming ($18.9 million).

Meanwhile, JACK Thistledown Racino delivered $15.8 million in revenue, while Hollywood Mahoning Valley posted $13.8 million, Hollywood Dayton took in $12.9 million, and Belterra Park posted $8.3 million.

Matthew Schuler, Ohio Casino Control Commission's Executive Director

Last week, Ohio Casino Control Commission's Executive Director, Matthew Schuler, announced that the official universal date for regulated sports betting will be January 1, 2023. This means it won't be in time for the NFL season start, scheduled for September 8, 2022. 

The first application window will run from June 15 to July 15. The regulatory body that will be in charge of this new market estimates approximately 3,000 license applications ahead of that date, and said in a statement that this launch marks the largest gaming expansion in Ohio’s history, and the "largest-ever simultaneous launch of sports gaming in the United States."

The Commission also explained the date was chosen to give all stakeholders time to start offering sports wagering on the same date, including businesses looking to offer online and retail options, as well as kiosks in bars and taverns across Ohio.