For the second month this year, taxable casino revenue in Ohio was lower than the same period in 2023. Still, the four Ohio casinos paid roughly $27.5 million in taxes based on $83.4 million in taxable revenue for April 2024 at a tax rate of 33%.
April: Ohio Casinos Pay Out Highest Table Game Sum Since 2022
In April 2023, taxable revenue amounted to $86.4 million. That’s about $3 million higher than the state reported for April of this year.
This go-around, the four casinos took it on the chin, paying out 78.25% on table games. That number comes in at about 2.5% above the figure for March 2024, and it’s the highest payout percentage for any single month since 2022.
Revenue from slots was $61.6 million, and revenue from table games was reported at $21.8 million. Slot payout stayed steady at 94.41%, which is in line with performance in the first three months of the year.
In all, Ohio casinos paid out approximately $845.1 million to gamblers in April.
Ohio Casinos Contribute $27.5 Million in April Tax Revenue
Revenue was down 12% overall from the previous month, with much of that coming from a $8.4 million drop-off in slots revenue, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s April report.
Hollywood Columbus Casino had the smallest month-to-month drop in revenue at 9.2%. JACK Cleveland Casino fell sharply, seeing a 14.3% decrease in April compared to March, based on revenue. Those numbers amounted to $27.5 million in added tax income for Ohio, making April a winning month for the state.
Both Hollywood Casino locations (Columbus and Toledo) still boast an increase in revenue for 2024 compared to the first four months of 2023.
So far in 2024, overall casino revenue is approximately $336 million through April, a dip from $348 million in the same four months last year.
April 2024 Revenue by Ohio Casino
For a fourth straight month, Hollywood Columbus Casino finished first according to total revenue. The four OH casinos were once again bunched together, within less than $4 million for April:
- Hollywood Columbus Casino — $23.1 million
- JACK Cleveland Casino — $21.0 million
- Hard Rock Cincinnati Casino — $19.8 million
- Hollywood Toledo Casino — $19.4 million
Hollywood Columbus ranked third in table revenue with $5 million, trailing JACK Cleveland ($8.1 million) and Hard Rock Cincinnati ($6 million). Hard Rock Toledo reported $2.5 million in revenue from table games.
A decline in casino revenue in April is historically anticipated. Revenues typically flatten in the summer months until they come back up in the late fall.
No Plans for Ohio Lawmakers to Address Online Casino Bill
The state legislature does not currently have a bill in front of either chamber that would legalize Ohio online casinos or iGaming. That means it’s likely going to be 2025 at the earliest for online casinos to become a reality in the Buckeye State.
Neighboring states Michigan and Pennsylvania both have online casinos. Ohio lawmakers, meanwhile, have yet to coordinate a proposal to make that happen in this state.
