Gambling in Ohio continues to grow, up 5.4 percent in February to $155 million after paying out winnings, reports released Thursday by the state’s casino control and lottery commissions showed.
In February a year ago, revenue statewide totaled $147.1 million. Each of Ohio’s four casinos and 11 racinos posted higher numbers this February, Cleveland.com reports.
Belterra Park in Cincinnati was closed for nearly half of February 2018 due to flooding - likely reducing overall revenue by about $1.5 million. But even after accounting for that, Ohio posted solid gains last month.
In the Cleveland-Akron market, the gain was a more modest 3.7 percent to $48.1 million, due mainly to slower growth at the Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park. The Cleveland-Akron area broke down this way for revenue:
Under Ohio regulations, the state’s seven racinos at horse tracks are limited to slots games of chance on the racino floor. The gambling revenue reported by the Ohio Lottery does not include wagering on horses.
The casinos are permitted to run table games and a wider variety of slots than are permitted at the racinos.
JACK Cleveland is the top table game operation in the state, taking in $8.8 million after paying out winnings in February.