Ohio Casinos Record $94.4 Million in Revenue for March

According to a report published by the Ohio Casino Control Commission this week, Ohio’s regulated casino sector has generated $94.4 million in revenue for March 2025. They showed that slot revenue contributed around $68.8 million to total revenue, while table game revenue was $25.5 million. 

That revenue figure is slightly down on the comparable 2024 numbers. Revenue for March 2024 was $94.7 million, representing a drop of a little under 0.5%. The quarterly comparison, however, makes for better reading for the state’s casino operators. Revenue for the first three months of this year totals $254.1 million, slightly up on the year-on-year total of $253.9 million. 

That marks the second quarter in which revenue has increased based on the year-on-year comparison, suggesting that the casino sector in the state is still growing. 

Hollywood Columbus paves the way

Of the four standalone casinos in the state, Hollywood Columbus generates the most revenue again, reporting $26.5 million for March, up 4.4% from the previous year’s $25.5 million. Slot revenue contributed $19.4 million to total revenue, followed by table games with $7.1 million. 

Jack Cleveland registered a revenue of $23.0 million for the month, while Hardrock Cincinnati recorded $22.8 million, and Hollywood Toledo was not far behind with $22.0 million. 

Ohio does not currently allow online casino gaming. An attempt to push through legalization at the end of last year fell short, although lawmakers are likely to try again to bring iGaming to the state. 

Potential tax hike introduced to sportsbook operators

Ohio casino operators are reporting revenue growth challenges and facing the prospect of a dramatic increase in betting tax. 

In his February budget proposals, the Ohio governor, Mike DeWine, proposed doubling the legal sports betting tax on operators in the state to 40%. If lawmakers in the state legislature agree on the proposal before the deadline date of June 30, it will be the second time in under two years that the betting tax has doubled. 

DeWine’s 2023 budget increased the tax from 10% to 20%, which took Ohio out of the gambling industry-friendly state bracket.

DeWine has stated his intention to use funds from the increased tax to support new sports initiatives and construction projects, including a new stadium for the NFL franchise, the Cleveland Browns. 

The proposed increase would bring Ohio sports betting closer to a group of states, including New York sports betting, Delaware sports betting, and Rhode Island sports betting, whose tax rate on sportsbooks is 50%. In the process, Ohio would overtake Pennsylvania, with its 36% tax rate.