Ohio Casino Revenue Hits $86.1 Million in November, Up 2.2% Year-on-Year

Ohio’s four commercial casinos generated $86.1 million in revenue for November, up from the previous year’s figure of $84.3 million and representing a year-on-year increase of 2.2%.  

The figures, published by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, revealed that of the combined amount, slots accounted for $62.6 million, up 4.1% year-on-year from $60.1 million. Table games, on the other hand, experienced a year-on-year decline, dropping from $24.2 million to $23.5 million, a decrease of 2.7%.  

The strong casino revenue figures provide some good news for a gambling sector that has come under increasing scrutiny. In November, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he regretted signing the bill to legalize sports betting, and a new report has linked legalized gambling to an increase in crime.  

Hollywood Columbus Leads in November 

Of the four casinos, Hollywood Columbus reported the highest revenue for the month, recording a 1.3% rise to $25.1 million. Slots revenue was also up at the casino, rising 4.3% year-on-year to $19 million, while table games declined 6.9% to $6.1 million.  

Hollywood Toledo had the biggest year-on-year revenue rise of the four casinos, up 7.5% to $19.4 million. Both slots and table games revenue also rose in November, with slots up 7% to $16.6 million and table games up 10.7% to $2.8 million.  

Jack Cleveland was the second-highest revenue generator in November, and the only casino to report a year-on-year decline. Revenue slightly dropped 0.6% to $21.4 million, while slots rose 2.8% to $13.4 million and table games declined 5.8% to $8 million.  

Hollywood Cincinnati had a similar percentage increase to Hollywood Columbus, rising 1.4% to $20.1 million. Slots increased 2% to $13.5 million, while table games revenue remained flat with $6.6 million.  

DeWine Regrets Sports Betting Legalization 

While Ohio’s casinos continue to perform strongly, the state’s sports betting sector is coming under intense scrutiny, with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine saying he regrets signing the 2021 bill. In an interview, Governor DeWine noted that lawmakers grossly underestimated the industry's aggressive growth and its risks to sports integrity. 

The governor’s remarks come as a series of betting-related investigations have grabbed national headlines, including two cases of Cleveland Guardians pitchers accused of rigging pitches.  

Governor DeWine has been involved in negotiations between Major League Baseball and authorized gaming operators, resulting in new limits on certain pitch-level prop bets. He has also urged other leagues to adopt similar rules. He has also stated that he would sign a repeal of Ohio’s sports betting law if it reached his desk, but acknowledges there is little appetite for that among lawmakers.  

Study Links Legal Sports Betting to Crime 

At the same time, new research suggests the impact of sports betting may have a wider reach beyond the sports themselves. A study by Rice University researchers Hua Gong and Wenche Wang has found that sports betting is linked to increases in crime following emotionally charged games. 

Analyzing crime data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System, the researchers examined the periods before and after legalization across a dozen states with major professional sports teams. They found that when home teams lost in results that defied the betting odds, the rate of assaults rose by 93%, and that overall crime increased between 30% and 70% after legalization.  

Researchers also found spillover effects in neighboring states that don't have legal betting, suggesting fans may travel to place wagers and return home.