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The Ohio Casino Control Commission released revenue numbers for September and they’re good…really good.
So good, in fact, that the pandemic’s impact on revenue numbers has all but disappeared. Ohio casinos are on track to bring in more than $1 billion in revenue for the first time in history.
Ohio casino revenue passes $80 million for seven straight months
In the big picture, this year’s revenue reports reveal a dynamic casino industry that’s found a way to bounce back after the pandemic closed the doors of its four casinos.
Total revenue for September 2022 was $81.44 million, making this the seventh straight month revenue has topped $80 million.
Dollars for the state’s four casinos peaked in March and April, topping $90 million in back-to-back months for the second time in OCCC history. From May to September, revenue bounced around in the $80 million range:
- May: $86.72 million
- June: $81.47 million
- July: $88.71 million
- August: $84.25 million
- September: $81.44 million
Those numbers are considerably higher than they were pre-pandemic. In September 2019, casino revenue came in at just under $70 million. For the year, revenue topped $80 million only one time.
As for averages, Ohio’s monthly total casino revenue since May has averaged $84.52 million. That same stretch in 2019? $70.78 million, for a difference, on average, of nearly $14 million per month.
Hollywood Casino Columbus is the top revenue earner in September
On a casino-to-casino basis, Hollywood Casino Columbus brought in the most total revenue in September.
- Hollywood Columbus: $22.27 million
- Jack Casino Cleveland: $21.94 million
- Hard Rock Cincinnati: $20.10 million
- Hollywood Toledo: $17.13 million
Compared to 2019, all three of the four casinos brought in at least 10% more revenue. Jack had the biggest jump, seeing $4.7 million more revenue than it did three years ago.
Comparatively speaking, Hollywood Casino Toledo is having a harder time growing. It saw less than a $1 million increase in revenue from September 2019 to September 2022.
What’s ahead for Ohio casino revenue?
Based on 2021 numbers, there’s a very good chance that Ohio casinos will generate more than $1 billion in revenue for the first time in the state’s history.
In 2021, the year-end revenue total was just north of $980 million. In the last three months of the year, revenue averaged $81.20 million. If casinos can match that average to close out 2022, then we should see them top $1 billion.
If that’s the case, then Ohio gaming will surge into the new year riding an incredible wave of momentum. Not only will the state have its first $1 billion year under its belt, but it will also celebrate the launch of sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023.
