Ohio Casinos and Racinos Take $167 Million in January

Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos enjoyed a record $167 million in gambling revenue during January, according to the latest report distributed by the state’s Lottery and Casino Control Commission. That total set a new state mark for January for casino and racino revenue, according to Cleveland.com. The figure went up 19% over last year's $140.7 million.

That huge jump up from the prior year is an outlier compared to date from the previous years. In fact, gains have been regularly 5% or less. Since 2014, the January casino and racino revenue has been reported at $127.9 million in 2015, $134.6 million in 2016, $135.2 million in 2017, $136.1 million in 2018 and $140.7 million in 2019.

More Slots Reap Higher Revenue Totals

Slots were the big moneymaker again in Ohio. According to the latest monthly report, Ohio's four casinos combined for $48.6 million in revenue via slot machines. Table games followed at $24.6 million.

The total revenue generated by two Hollywood-operated casinos in Columbus and Toledo and two JACK-operated casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland was $73.1 million.

The Hollywood Casino in Columbus led the way at $20.4 million; that facility has the most slot machines available in Ohio with 2,199 on the casino floor. The next closest earners were JACK Cincinnati at $18.7 million and JACK Cleveland at $18.3 million. Hollywood Toledo followed at $15.7 million.

In total, all four Ohio casinos reported higher revenue totals in January 2020 over the prior year's reporting period.

Racinos Post $94.3 million Revenue in January

The same thing happened for revenue across the state's seven racinos compared to January last year. The state's seven slots-only facilities located across the state totaled $94.3 million in January 2020, surpassing last year's $78.3 million revenue total by 20%.

Moreover, all seven racinos reported higher totals over the prior year's reporting period. The MGM Northfield Park racino saw the most action with $22.9 million in monthly revenue.

Is $1 Billion Fiscal Year Revenue Now Normal?

Such a huge start to 2020 could help Ohio racinos surpass the $1 billion mark over the next fiscal year. That happened for the first time ever back in July when the state's racinos exceeded $1 billion in video lottery terminal (VTL) revenue for the 2018-19 fiscal year, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

According to the latest Ohio racinos report, the 2019-20 fiscal year might also be headed in that direction after posing such huge numbers in January. The current fiscal year's revenue total currently sits at $641.7 million with five months to go. The racinos previously proposed an expansion plan after surpassing $1 billion in 2019.

Last year's record total was $1.05 billion.

Check out legal states for real money online casinos