The Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, the largest casino in the Buckeye state in terms of slots revenue, is transitioning to a new owner and a new branding: MGM.
The $1 billion purchase was announced in July, but MGM did not announce at that time whether it would be changing the name, even though MGM Resorts International would be operating it. However, the name change was announced at last week’s meeting of the Ohio Lottery Commission, which licenses racino operations in Ohio.
Since the “Rocksino” brand is literally imbedded in the carpets and signs throughout, the changeover will require extensive work. Replying to an email query of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, MGM spokesman Brian Ahern stated: “When MGM Resorts transitions to its role as operator, the name of the property will change. We will share more information about the brand as the transition approaches.”
Even though the Rocksino is a racetrack with slot machines, with no table games, it is still more profitable than the state’s four casinos in the state’s largest cities. It realized $213.8 million in slots revenue the first ten months of 2018. The Rocksino, which opened in 2013, is strategically located between Cleveland and Akron.
The state’s second most profitable racino, Eldorado Gaming Scioto, took in $146 million in revenues during the same ten months. The top grossing casino, which has table games, is Hollywood Columbus, with make $188.2 million during the same period.
Ohio’s seven slots-only racinos are under the Ohio Lottery Commission while its four casinos are overseen by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
