Clark County forecasts casino revenue in 2015

The report said that officials can expect to receive about as much next year as well.

Commissioner John Detrick said the money has provided a cushion for the more than US$ 3 million lost as a result of the cuts in state local government funding. However, he still contends that the amount received annually is unreliable.

“We’re glad to get it. It is an unknown and there’s no guarantee with it, so we conservatively estimate our income because of the question mark because of the four quarterly payments,” Detrick said.

Ohio voters in 2009 amended the state constitution to allow casinos in select cities in the state.

Ohio levies a 33 percent tax on adjusted gross gambling revenue, which is the amount left after winners are paid.

Local governments receive four casino payments each year; school districts in Ohio share 34 percent of that tax revenue and get two casino payments each year.

Ohio’s four casinos brought in more than US$ 62 million in revenue during the month of November, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Three of the casinos, however, saw revenues dip.

Hollywood Columbus only brought in US$16.8 million, down from US$ 17.2 million in October. Hollywood Toledo reported slightly more than US$ 14 million in revenue, down from US$ 15.2 in October.

Hollywood Cincinnati saw an increase from US$ 13.9 million in October to $15.8 million in November, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Detrick said officials are always concerned about declines in casino revenue. But he pointed out that Kennedy has continued to be conservative in budget estimates.

Clark County Auditor John Federer said recently that he questioned whether the county would get US$ 1.6 million in casino revenue next year due to the increasing number of racinos in the state.

“I would think US$ 1.5 million (is more likely),” Federer said during budget hearings.

Detrick said officials have placed the money in the county’s general fund, which is more than US$ 40 million.

Commissioner Rick Lohnes said the casino money has been a big help. “It filled a big gap there. It filled a big hole to help us stay in good shape budget-wise,” he commented.

Lohnes said that he has urged legislators to rethink the formula for local government funds and take a look at cuts to municipalities now that the state’s budget deficit has been addressed.

“I think it’s time to release some more of those local government funds, especially the small towns and the townships,” he said. “There was no way they could recover as fast as the money disappeared.”