Racinos in Ohio have posted relatively flat revenue numbers for three months in a row compared to the same period last year.
The Ohio Lottery Commission this week reported slightly more Ohio racino revenue in May — just over $115 million — versus last May overall. But most of the properties brought in less revenue than last year.
Ohio racino revenue remains flat in May
Ohio’s seven race tracks that feature slot machine gaming made $115.3 million in May, increasing revenue by only .3% year-over-year.
They brought in $2,791,766 less than they did in April, marking a 2.4% decrease month-over-month.
Ohio racino total revenue
- May 2023: $115,273,150
- April 2023: $118,064,916
- May 2022: $114,925,414
To begin the year, the racinos showed signs of growth with a 16% YoY increase in January, then a 10.4% increase in February. But that growth did not continue as a larger trend. March revenues grew only slightly over the previous year, and April brought a 3.8% decrease.
Largest Ohio racinos continue growth
Once again, Ohio’s top two racino properties carried the pack in terms of YoY growth. The greater Cleveland area’s MGM Northfield Park and Miami Valley Gaming, located between Cincinnati and Dayton, were the only two racinos to grow their revenue YoY. Both racinos topped last May’s revenue by more than $1 million.
The three racinos in the middle of the pack — Jack Thistledown, Hollywood Mahoning Valley and Hollywood Dayton — just about matched last years numbers, coming within $100,000 of May 2022 totals.
Cincinnati’s Belterra Park and Columbus’ Scioto Downs both saw their revenue drop by nearly $1 million.
Ohio racino revenue comparison (millions)
Ohio Racino | May 2023 | April 2023 | May 2022 |
---|---|---|---|
MGM Northfield Park | $25.6 | $26.5 | $24.3 |
Miami Valley Gaming | $20.2 | $20.5 | $19.0 |
Eldorado Scioto Downs | $19.7 | $19.8 | $20.6 |
JACK Thistledown Racetrack | $15.7 | $16.7 | $15.8 |
Hollywood Mahoning Valley | $13.7 | $13.9 | $13.8 |
Hollywood Dayton | $12.9 | $13.2 | $13.0 |
Belterra Park | $7.4 | $7.5 | $8.3 |
Total | $115.3 | $118.06 | $114.9 |
Ohio casinos following a similar trend
Racinos differ from proper casinos in Ohio in that they don’t offer live dealer table games. Ohio has four casinos across the state that offer games like blackjack, poker and roulette in addition to video slot machines. The casinos are regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Ohio casino revenues have generally been following the same trend as the racinos. The four casinos showed a similarly strong start to the year, then narrowly set a record in March. The next month showed a YoY decrease.
Revenue made by the casinos was down in April compared to the same month last year. The $86.5 million made in April 2023 was a 6.8% YoY decrease. Ohio casinos had their best month ever just a month earlier, but only by a slight margin (.16% over the previous record).
The OCCC will report the May casino figures at the end of June.