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Ohio’s four casinos generated nearly $83.5 million in taxable revenue in April, according to the latest report from the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC). This is the money the gambling operators kept after paying out winnings to players but before state taxes and fees.
April revenue is almost a 12.0% decrease from Ohio’s March 2024 casino revenue, which surpassed $94.7 million.
Key takeaways
- Ohio casino revenue numbers include slots and table games without in-person sports betting, which was legalized in 2023.
- Revenue was up in March and consistent in February, but it saw a decline in January.
- Ohio online casinos are illegal, but some progress has recently been made. Ohio’s neighboring states, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, have legal and mature online casino markets.
Ohio casinos’ April revenue drops from March and year-over-year
From the total $83.5 million of Ohio casinos’ taxable revenue in April, slot revenue was $61.6 million (73.8 %), while $21.8 million (26.2%) came from table games.
According to the OCCC’s April 2024 casino revenue report, revenue was up in March and steady in February but down in January. April is the second time this year that gaming revenue has dropped month-over-month. It also happened in January:
- January: $75,231,382 (almost 18.0% down month-over-month)
- February: $83,524,145 (a 13.7% monthly increase)
- March: $94,749,130 (up 13.4% month-over-month)
- April: $83,457,064 (a 12.0% monthly decrease)
The April revenue figure was almost the same as in February 2024, representing a 3.5% decrease from April 2023.
While Hollywood Columbus continues to be a top performer in revenue generated, all four Ohio casinos reported monthly fall, with JACK Cleveland Casino showing the biggest difference:
- Hollywood Columbus: $23,191,803 (a 9.2% decline from March)
- JACK Cleveland Casino: $21,000,159 (a 14.3% monthly drop)
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati: $19,799,739 (a 10.9% monthly drop)
- Hollywood Toledo:$ 19,465,363 (13.3% behind March)
As for year-over-year comparison, JACK Cleveland Casino and Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati reported annual revenue declines, whereas Hollywood Columbus and Hollywood Toledo saw yearly revenue increases.
Ohio online casinos are not too far away from being legalized
While operators and lawmakers are considering legalizing Ohio online casinos, iGaming remains illegal. The state currently offers gambling at retail locations and racinos, as well as online sports betting, which has been available since January last year.
The OCCC members and operators conceded that legalizing online casinos would require a people’s vote to change the constitution that gave the four casinos the right to offer games. There is also a possibility of modernizing Ohio’s racinos by introducing electronic and live table games, currently only available in person at Ohio’s four casinos.
Until that happens, Ohio residents can only place online casino bets while visiting neighboring, legal iGaming states – Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
