Ohio sets gambling revenue record with USD 1.94 B in 2019

According to figures reported by the state’s lottery and the casino control commission, gambling revenue at Ohio's 11 casinos and racinos increased in 2019 to $1.94 billion.

“Gambling revenue” is the amount of money kept by the casinos and racinos after paying out winnings for slot machines and table games. It does not include other profits, such those on the sale of drinks and food, or money from horse wagering.

About one-third of the gambling revenue is turned over to the state in taxes or fees, amounting to about $650 million for 2019, Cleveland.com reports.

The last of Ohio’s four casinos opened in early 2013, and the last of the state’s seven racinos opened in late 2014, yet gambling revenue has increased each year.

Last year’s total of $1.94 billion was up 4.2%, or $77.6 million, from $1.86 billion in 2018.

The casinos have both table games and slots under the regulation of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The racinos, regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission, are permitted to offer only chance-based slot machines. Unlike several neighboring states, there is no legal gambling in Ohio on pro and college sports.

The top three facilities in 2019 were the MGM Northfield Park racino with $253.6 million, Hollywood Casino Columbus with $229.2 million, and JACK Cleveland Casino with $212.1 million.

However, at MGM Northfield Park, known as the Hard Rock Rocksino until April, revenue fell $2.3 million from $255.9 million in 2018. The only other Ohio operation to experience a decline in 2019 was Hollywood Casino Toledo, which slipped from $202.7 million in 2018 to $202 million last year.

Revenue increased for the two Greater Cleveland properties run by Dan Gilbert’s JACK Entertainment. JACK Cleveland Casino’s total of $212.1 million was up $7.2 million from $204.9 million in 2018. Revenue for JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall was up $15.1 million from $127.4 million in 2018 to $142.5 million last year.

Overall, revenue at Ohio’s four casinos was up 1.6% to $851 million, or $212.8 million per property.

For the seven racinos, revenue was up 6.2% to $1.1 billion, or $155.8 million per property.