Gambling revenue down across Ohio and at Hollywood Casino

Gambling revenues declined in January at Ohio casinos in Toledo, Columbus, and Cincinnati, according to new data from the state’s gaming commission.

Hollywood Casino Toledo, owned by Penn National Gaming Inc. last month reported revenues of $14.9 million, down 1 percent from the same month in 2017, when revenues totaled $15.1 million. Also, the January revenues were down nearly 9 percent from $16.5 million in December.

Hollywood Casino Toledo

At Penn National’s second state gaming establishment, Hollywood Casino Columbus, revenues totaled $17 million, down 2 percent from $17.4 million a year ago, and down 9 percent from $18.7 million in December.

At the Jack Cincinnati Casino, owned by Jack Entertainment LLC, gambling revenues totaled $14.6 million last month, a 10 percent drop from a year ago when they were at $16.2 million. It also was down nearly 17 percent from December’s $17.5 million.

Of the state’s four casinos, only the Jack Casino in Cleveland showed an uptick in revenues last month. The Cleveland casino brought in $16.5 million, a 9 percent increase from $15.1 million in January of 2017. But the January revenue was down 6 percent from a month earlier when revenues were $17.5 million.

All the figures were released last week by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which is the governing body that controls slots and table gaming in the state.

The commission only tabulates revenues from casino gambling. Sales from food, drinks, merchandise, and events are not included in the commission's totals.

One month into 2018, state gaming revenues total $63 million. That is down just over 1 percent from a year earlier when revenues totaled $63.9 million. It also was down 10 percent from December’s revenues of $70.1 million.

At the state's seven “racinos,” which combine horse racing and video slots, revenues in January totaled $73.1 million. That was up 2.6 percent from January a year ago when revenues totaled $71.3 million.

Contact Jon Chavez at jchavez@theblade.com or 419-724-6128.