Ohio’s four commercial casinos posted solid gains in April 2026, showing steady growth despite increasing competition across the state’s gaming market.
According to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, total gross gaming revenue reached $93.4 million for the month. That marks a 5.6% increase compared to April 2025, signaling continued momentum for the state’s casino industry.
Slots Continue to Drive Revenue
Slot machines remained the largest source of casino income, bringing in $69.8 million. That accounts for about 75% of total revenue and reflects a 6.7% year-over-year increase.
Table games generated $23.7 million, up 2.3% from last year. While tables contribute a smaller share overall, they remain an important part of the full casino experience.
This pattern is consistent with most U.S. casino markets, where slots dominate due to their accessibility and high player volume.
Hollywood Columbus Leads the Market
Hollywood Casino Columbus once again ranked as the top-performing property in Ohio, generating $27.9 million in April revenue. That represents an 11% increase year over year.
- Slot revenue: $22 million (+10.7%)
- Table games: $6 million (+12.3%)
The property continues to benefit from its location in the state capital and strong performance across both gaming segments.
Hollywood Casino Toledo reported the strongest growth rate, rising 11.1% to reach $23 million. Its steady gains may be tied to regional demand and ongoing promotional efforts.
Jack Cleveland Casino and Hard Rock Cincinnati contributed to the statewide total but did not show standout growth in this reporting period.
Long-Term Growth Trend Remains Strong
Ohio’s commercial casinos have shown consistent growth since opening in the early 2010s. In 2025, the state reached a record $3.5 billion in total casino revenue, up 6.3% from the previous year.
April’s $93.4 million total falls within the typical monthly range of $80 million to $95 million, depending on seasonal trends.
Several factors continue to shape performance:
- Consumer spending and economic conditions
- Competition from racinos, online sports betting, and nearby states
- Property upgrades, events, and promotions
Seasonal travel and entertainment patterns also contributed.
Racinos Still Dominate Slot Volume
While casinos offer a full gaming experience, Ohio’s racinos continue to generate higher overall revenue from electronic gaming machines.
Racinos operate video lottery terminals (VLTs), which function similarly to slot machines but are more widely distributed across the state. As a result, they often produce higher total volume.
For example:
- Early 2026 racino VLT revenue reached $229.6 million, up 8.3% year over year.
- Casinos reported $121.4 million in slot revenue during the same period.
- Racinos operate roughly 10,000 machines, compared to about 5,900 slots at casinos.
Monthly racino revenue typically ranges between $110 million and $135 million, often surpassing casino slot totals.
However, casinos remain competitive in other ways. They tend to generate strong revenue per machine in key urban markets and benefit from table games, which make up about 25% of total casino revenue.
Taxes and Market Balance
Ohio casinos are taxed at a rate of 33% on gross revenue, while racino revenues are distributed through a different structure tied to the state lottery.
In 2025, racinos generated more total tax revenue than casinos, largely due to their higher slot volume.
Despite this, both sectors are growing. The combined gaming market in Ohio continues to expand, even as competition from sports betting and other options increases.
