The state's four casinos saw their revenues decline in June . The Ohio Casino Control Commission reports the facilities collected 63.6 million dollars last month, down slightly from February. Cincinnati's casino grossed 15.3 million last month. Casinos in Cleveland and Toledo saw revenues on par with their February figures. Columbus' casino reported nearly 16 million dollars last month, 1.6 million below its February revenue. Brian Bull of member station WCPN in Cleveland got reaction from officials with that city's casino.
Operators say don’t read too much into the numbers. They say June is typically slow for casinos in some areas, as people go on vacation.
Spokeswoman Shannon Mortland did add that the gaming field has gotten pretty crowded.
SMortland01: “In June 2012, Cleveland was the only gaming destination in the area. The landscape has changed quite a bit in that time. You’ve probably noticed that we opened our Racino, and of course, the Racino opened just down the street. So there are more gaming destinations in town, this year.” (:17)
As to Phase 2 of the Casino – which would extend it to the shore of the Cuyahoga River – Mortland says there’s no set timeline.
BLarkin01: “NO ONE should expect that new casino to be open any time, for the forseeable future.” (:07)
Brent Larkin is a columnist for the Plain Dealer and its former editorial director. He’s long-criticized the casino industry’s campaign in Ohio. He says no one should be surprised at the latest revenue numbers, given the regional competition that goes beyond a few neighboring racinos.
BLarkin02: “Areas east of the Mississippi, and above the Mason-Dixon line, are saturated now with casino gambling. In the east, casinos are beginning to close there’s so many for them. And Ohio is surrounded—except for Kentucky—with casino gaming.” (:18)
The June numbers are comparable to February’s. Collectively, all of Ohio’s voter-approved casinos have drawn more than 409 million dollars so far this year…about 3 million less than this time in 2013.
