Slots revenue reaches $1B at Ohio racinos for first time

It has been a milestone year for Ohio’s seven racinos.

Buckeye State racinos, or racetrack casinos, recorded $1,058,638,754 in video lottery terminal revenue in fiscal year 2019, the first time that number has exceeded $1 billion.

The Ohio Lottery Commission, which received $354,643,983 from the revenue, reported the results Monday.

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“It’s the first time we’ve exceeded $1 billion in net win,” confirmed Danielle Frizzi-Babb, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Lottery Commission. “We’re proud that our VLT (Video Lottery Terminal) facilities continue to perform well.”

In fiscal 2018, the statewide revenue was $987,297,088.

The revenue represents net gaming revenues remaining after payout of prizes and promotional credits.

At Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway, 777 Hollywood Blvd. (Needmore and Wagner Ford roads), revenue for the July-June fiscal year was put at $110,696,527. That’s an improvement over the $103,498,790 in fiscal 2018 and the $94,959,137 notched in fiscal 2017.

At Miami Valley Gaming, between Lebanon and Monroe, the net win for the fiscal year was recorded as $171,565,839. That’s up from $151,563,639 in fiscal 2018 and $143,774,702 in fiscal 2017.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission also reported June results for Ohio’s four casinos. Statewide through June, casino revenue is $427,871,924.

Ohio gaming supports nearly 20,000 jobs statewide and has a total economic impact of $3.6 billion, according to research presented by the American Gaming Association in May 2018 at a conference at Miami Valley Gaming.

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That study said the industry generated $594 million in taxes in 2017, with just over $800 million in wages.

In 2009, Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling in the state, but the first casinos did not open until two-and-a-half years later.

The Horseshoe Casino Cleveland opened May 14, 2012, followed by Hollywood Casino Toledo, which opened May 29, 2012.

The constitutional amendment was followed by an executive order allowing video lottery terminals at racetracks or “racinos.”

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