As a result of Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos being closed from March 14 through June 18, gaming revenue declined by $487.5 million in the first six months of the year, compared to $970.9 million collected by the same point in 2019, according to recent reports.
As a result, the state has lost about $160 million in fees and taxes, with most of that going to local governments and schools. Prior to the closings, Ohio’s casino industry was setting new records.
But June reports indicate that business has been returning, though the venues reopened after the middle of the month. The Ohio Casino Control Commission reported the state’s four casinos posted revenue of $76.7 million—just under half of the $161.4 million total for the entire month of June 2019. The Ohio Lottery Commission reported revenue at the state’s seven racinos fell 53 percent to $42.6 million.
Lottery Director Pat McDonald also reported scratch-off tickets were “the only game in town” while bars and racinos temporarily closed. At the end of the fiscal year on June 30, total sales from traditional lottery games were up $111 million from the previous year. Lottery revenue from video gambling machines at the seven racinos was down about $80 million.
Scratch-off sales totaled $148 million in February, the last full month before Governor Mike DeWine began closing businesses, then rose to $162 million in April and $216 million in May.
However, the reverse was true for Keno, which saw sales fall from $42 million in February to $16 million in April, but increasing to $28 million in May. The racinos generated zero revenue while they were closed from mid-March through mid-June.
During the fiscal year, the lottery transferred $1.127 billion to the state for school funding.
McDonald also reported draw-based games posted sales of $937 million, down from $994 million in the previous fiscal year. Scratch-off games reported sales of $1.332 billion, up from $1.159 billion. The lottery share of revenue from video gambling terminals at the racinos was $275 million, down from $355 million.
