Ohio casino revenues up in December

Annual revenues increased at Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Casino Columbus, and the Jack Cincinnati Casino. Only the Jack Cleveland Casino experienced a slight decrease in annual revenue.

Statewide revenues from the four casinos increased 5.5 percent in December from the previous month, and they were up 5.6 percent from December, 2016.

Combined, the four casinos took in $818.9 million last year — a 2.6 percent increase over 2016. The casino control commission tabulates gambling revenue only. Sales from food, drink, merchandise, and events are not included in the commission’s totals.

The 2017 totals were Ohio’s second-best year of gaming activity since 2013 when all four casinos were open year-round and hauled in a combined $821 million. Revenues had declined to $797 million in 2016 from $812 million in 2015.

Hollywood Casino Toledo, owned by Penn National Gaming, took in $16.5 million in December. That was a 3 percent increase from November and a 9 percent increase from December, 2016.

For the year, the Toledo casino had $198.7 million, or nearly a 4 percent increase over $191.6 million in 2016.

At Hollywood Casino Columbus, Penn National’s other Ohio gaming house, December revenues totaled $18.7 million. That was up 6 percent from November and up 1 percent from a year ago. Total annual revenue was $220.9 million, a 3.4 percent increase over the previous year.

At casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland, both operated by Jack Entertainment, revenues in December were $17.5 million and $17.6 million, respectively.

The Cincinnati casino’s December total was up 9 percent from November, and up 7 percent from a year ago. Annual revenues there totaled $197.9 million, a 4.6 percent increase over 2016.

In Cleveland, December revenues were up 3.5 percent over November and 6 percent over December, 2016. Annual revenue was $201.5 million, which was a 1 percent drop from 2016.

At the state's seven racinos, which pair horse racing with video slots, revenues totaled $79.4 million in December. That was up 4.6 percent from the month before and up nearly 8 percent from December, 2016. For the year, the racinos totaled $957.4 million, a 7 percent increase over 2016.