After posting record-high numbers, revenue at Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos dropped precipitously in November as Covid-19 cases surged and curfews were imposed. Statewide, gambling revenue fell 17.2 percent from $161.1 million in November 2019 to $133.4 million, according to Ohio’s Lottery and Casino Control Commission data. The state will be impacted as it receives one-third of gambling revenue and directs it to local governments and schools.
Ohio casinos and racinos had hit new records each full month after they reopened from Covid-19 closures from mid-March through mid-June. However, as cases spiked, Governor Mike DeWine issued a statewide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting November 19. The curfew will remain in place, a lottery spokeswoman said. Casinos in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo are closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and the Cincinnati casino is closed from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Compared to November 2019, revenue dropped 27.1 percent to $15.6 million at MGM Northfield Park, 4.7 percent to $11.3 million at JACK Thistledown Racino and 22. percent to $14.5 million at JACK Cleveland Casino.
Through November, the gambling industry has taken in $1.31 billion, a 26.2 percent drop of $464 million from $1.78 billion compared to the first 11 months of 2019.
