Ohio casinos and racinos' gambling revenue up 6.7% in October

According to data released by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the state’s 11 casinos and racinos continued their record run after reopening from coronavirus-related shutdowns, posting $169.1 million in gambling revenue, after paying out winnings, up 6.7% from $158.4 million a year ago.

About one-third of this money is forwarded to the state in the form of taxes or fees, Cleveland.com reports.

The casinos were closed under state order from mid-March through mid-June, but outside of those months, revenue records have been set in every other month this year.

Topping all Ohio operations in October was Hollywood Casino Columbus with just over $20.3 million, edging above the September leader, MGM Northfield Park.

Gambling revenue in the Cleveland market during October was up 5.8% to $52.9 million, broken down this way:

• JACK Thistledown Racinos was up 16.4% to $13.8 million.
• JACK Cleveland Casino was up 11.9% to $18.7 million.
• MGM Northfield Park was down 5% to $20.3 million.

 The seven racinos, regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission, are limited to chance-based slot machines called video lottery terminals. The totals reported by the lottery do not included what is taken in from racing bets.

Ohio’s four casinos, regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, are permitted to offer a wider variety of slot machines, plus table games including poker rooms.