Slots gambling revenue at Ohio’s racinos tops $1 billion for the first time

The Northfield Park facility took in $256 million after paying out winnings, up from $246.5 in fiscal 2018, the Ohio Lottery Commission reported Monday.

Overall, the seven racinos across Ohio generated $1,058,638,754, about a third of which is then paid to the lottery in fees.

Statewide racino revenue has grown steadily since the first racino launched in 2012 – reaching $733 million in 2015, $869 million in 2016, $923 million in 2017 and $987 in 2018 before the new record set in fiscal 2019, which just ended.

The Ohio Lottery Commission reported June details for the seven racinos on Monday, as did the Ohio Casino Control Commission for the four casinos operated in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo.

Casinos and racinos

Overall, gambling revenue in Ohio totaled $161.4 million last month - $91.1 from the seven racinos and $70.3 million from the four casinos - up 4.5% from $154.5 in June 2018.

The JACK Cleveland Casino had revenue of $17.5 million, up from $16.4 million in June a year ago. Hollywood Columbus was again the leading casino, with $19.5 million in revenue, up from $19.1 million in June a year ago.

The casinos, unlike Ohio’s racinos, are permitted to offer table games and skill-based slots. JACK Cleveland led the table operations, picking up $8.2 million of its $17.5 million in revenue from table games.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission, which operates on a calendar, collects taxes of 33% on casino gambling revenue. The taxes go mainly to counties, schools and host cities. Lottery proceeds from the racinos go to a state fund for schools.

At the racinos in June, MGM Northfield Park had $20.8 million in slots revenue, down from $22.2 million during the same month a year earlier operating as the Hard Rock Rocksino. Northfield Park was the only Ohio racino to collect less in slots revenue in June 2019 than it did in June 2018.

JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall had slots revenue of $11.9 million, up from $11.2 million in June 2018.