Ohio Casino Revenue Grows 8.4% in May While iGaming Bills Wait in Committees

The four commercial casinos in Ohio combined to generate $91.6 million in revenue in May 2025, an 8.4% increase from $84.6 million collected in May 2024 and a 3.5% increase from April 2025. 

According to the Ohio Casino Control Commission report, the majority of that revenue was generated by slot gaming, with slot revenues adding $68.4 million. Table games contributed $23.3 million.

Hollywood Toledo Leads the Way for Ohio Casino Revenue Growth

Hollywood Toledo Casino saw the most growth in May 2025. Although it remains the lowest revenue generator of the four, it rose 11.3% year-on-year, generating $21.4 million in revenue in May 2025 compared to $19.2 million the year prior. 

Hollywood Columbus remained the biggest contributor to sector revenue, reporting $25.9 million in May revenue, up 9.3% from the $23.6 million return from May 2024. That marked the casino's third consecutive month of revenue over $25 million, after hitting similar revenue figures in March and April. 

Jack Cleveland remains the second highest revenue generator with a $22.3 million haul, but Hard Rock Cincinnati has closed the gap after showing an 8.4% revenue rise to bring in $22.2 million. 

iGaming Awaits Debate in Committees

While the Ohio land-based casino is growing, lawmakers are contemplating allowing state residents to play casino games like poker, slots, and roulette online. Representatives Brian Stewart and Marilyn John introduced HB 298, which would legalize online casino gambling in the state. 

The bill has support from operators like FanDuel, with FanDuel’s head of government relations, Cesar Fernandez, claiming iGaming in Ohio could generate $600 million in annual tax revenue for the state.

One source of controversy is the proposed tax rate for online operators. HB 298 sets a tax rate of 28%, which is 5% lower than that paid by retail casinos in Ohio. That has raised questions about why online operators, which don’t employ local workers, should benefit from lower taxation. Others have questioned whether online casinos in Ohio would take revenue away from land-based casinos. 

Other provisions of the bill include a commitment to allocate 1% of tax revenue from the iGaming sector for funding gambling addiction programs, and a license fee of $50 million initially, renewed at $10 million annually.

At the same time, SB 197, which would also legalize iGaming, is being discussed in the upper house. Both bills propose a launch date for the new sector of March 31, 2026. Neither bill has progressed much since its introduction, with HB 298 still in a House committee and SB 197 also in a committee.

When these bills pass, the impact on land-based casino revenues will be of significant interest to gambling operators in the state.