CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ohio’s casinos and racinos saw their revenues surge in March, with many have their best month in history and some hitting levels not seen for years.
Statewide revenue hit a record high.
Jack Cleveland Casino’s revenue of $20.1 million was the first time since December 2014 it had topped $20 million. Revenue in March 2017 was $18 million.
Jack Thistledown Racino’s $12 million in revenue was the highest since November 2013. Revenue was $10.45 million in March 2017.
But none of the state’s four casinos or six racinos could match Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park’s record $23.3 million in revenue. The racino had $21.4 million in revenue in March 2017.
The statewide casino revenue of $81.7 million was an 8.3 percent increase from March 2017 and the best month since casinos opened, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
It was also a record month for the Ohio Lottery Commission, where statewide racino revenue of $96.4 million was a 10.1 percent increase from March 2017.
Northeast Ohio’s gaming revenue growth has grown 3.5 percent in the past year even as the number of average slots/video lottery terminals has fallen 4.4 percent over the same time, according to a recent report by Moody’s Investors Service.
Slots and video lottery terminals, which account for about 82 percent of total gaming revenue at Jack Cleveland Casino, Jack Thistledown Racino and Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, fell to 4,993 in February 2018 from 5,224 in February 2017, but revenue increased, the report said. The increase was largely driven by an increase in win per unit, according to the bond credit rating business’ review of revenue information from the Ohio Casino Control Commission and Ohio Lottery Commission.
Cleveland is also the largest gaming market in Ohio, the report said. Hard Rock Rocksino has grown to be