Ohio Casinos Up 5.5% to $70M in May
June 21, 2017 8:57 amAfter almost a year spent in the doldrums, the fortune of Ohio’s four casinos may finally be on the turn after posting a 5.5% revenue increase to $70.2 million, compared to the same month in 2016. As a result, the state’s casino industry is currently lower by just 1% at $351.4 million for the first five months of 2017, according to financial results released by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Leading the market in terms of growth last month was the Jack Cleveland Casino, which reported an 8.8% increase in revenue to $17.4 million year-over-year. Nevertheless, the comparison is a favorable one considering the venue remained closed for 40 hours in May of last year when the casino changed its name from Horseshoe after Rock Gaming LLC took over its management back then.
Meanwhile, Jack Cincinnati Casino saw its business improve by 6.8% in May, followed by Hollywood Casino Toledo up by 4.9% to $17.3 million.
Bringing up the rear, however, was the last casino to open its doors in the state, namely the Hollywood Casino Columbus, which saw it revenue increase by 3.6% to $18.4 million, versus last May. The casino currently employs around 1,000 workers, and in 2016 received 2.9 million visitors through its doors, with its management continuing to improve its appeal by introducing promotions and entertainment to draw in new patrons. Commenting upon the increasing popularity of the casino, Penn National President Jay A. Snowden, explained:
“You learn the market, you learn the competition, you understand what motivates customers. We think Columbus is .. going to be a growth market for us for a long, long time.”
The Buckeye State is also home to seven racinos which continue to return solid monthly figures. May proved no exception, either, with revenue increasing by 6.1% to $83 million. Leading the way last month was the Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park which generated $21.1 million in revenue from its slots only operation.