In a recent turn of events, Ohio’s casinos and racinos have reported a significant uptick in gambling revenue for the month of May. This news comes as a welcome surprise to many in the industry, as the gambling market has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.
According to reports from the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Lottery Commission, the state’s casinos and racinos collectively brought in a total of $164.3 million in gambling revenue in May. This marks a 17.8% increase compared to the same month last year, when revenue was at $139.4 million.
The increase in revenue can be attributed to a number of factors, including the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions and the return of live events and entertainment at many of the state’s gambling establishments. Additionally, the warmer weather and the Memorial Day holiday weekend likely played a role in drawing more visitors to the casinos and racinos.
One of the biggest winners in May was the Hollywood Casino Columbus, which saw a 22.5% increase in revenue compared to May 2020. The casino brought in a total of $23.1 million in gambling revenue for the month, making it the top performer in the state.
Racinos also saw a significant increase in revenue in May, with total gambling revenue reaching $107.5 million, a 15.5% increase compared to the same month last year. The Jack Thistledown Racino in North Randall was the top-performing racino, bringing in $14.4 million in gambling revenue for the month.
The recent surge in gambling revenue is a promising sign for Ohio’s casinos and racinos, as they continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic. With more visitors flocking to their doors and a variety of new attractions and promotions on offer, the state’s gambling establishments are hopeful that this positive trend will continue in the months to come.
