Ohio Casino Revenue Climbs as DeWine Pushes Back on Online Gambling Expansion
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Ohio's casino industry is hitting new highs, even as state leaders push back on efforts to expand gambling online. Revenue from the state's four casinos climbed to $88.9 million in July, up 8.4% from last year, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Slots generated the bulk of that income, followed by steady growth in table games. The spending surge comes as more casinos nationwide experiment with cashless payment systems, and CasinoBeats examines credit card casinos to show how card-based play is becoming a core part of that shift.
The revenue gains were broad-based across all four properties. Hollywood Columbus led the state with $24.7 million, including $5.1 million from table games and $20 million from slots. Hard Rock Cincinnati followed with $22 million, up from $19.7 million the year before. Jack Cleveland Casino reported $21.5 million, while Hollywood Toledo added $20.7 million.
Slots accounted for $65.2 million statewide, rising from $60.1 million in July 2024, while table games increased from $21.8 million to $23.7 million. The growth marked another step in the steady post-pandemic rebound of Ohio's gambling sector, which has now logged consistent year-over-year gains despite competition from neighboring markets.
This momentum arrives as lawmakers weigh how to handle a growing push to legalize iGaming and iLottery platforms. The proposals would let Ohio residents play casino-style and lottery games on phones or laptops. Backers argue that the move would help the state capture an estimated $600 million to $2.2 billion currently flowing to offshore sites, and they point to other states where legal iGaming has delivered significant tax revenue without cutting into physical casino traffic.
A report from a legislative study committee last year reached similar conclusions, noting that digital platforms could expand the market rather than replace existing play. However, it also cautioned that any rollout should be designed not to erode the state's four casinos or seven racinos.
Governor Mike DeWine has rejected the idea outright, saying he believes Ohio "probably has enough gambling" already. Asked whether he would sign the measures if they passed, DeWine replied, "I'm not for it," and added that he doubts the proposals have enough support to clear the Ohio House of Representatives or the Ohio Senate. He said allowing casino games on every internet-connected device would be "putting a casino in everybody's hands 24/7," which he warned could fuel gambling addiction. More than 100 church leaders have also signed a letter urging lawmakers to reject the expansion.
While the state's casino revenue is climbing, the Ohio Casino Control Commission has maintained a cautious stance. Alongside its July report, the regulator reminded sportsbooks that venturing into unlicensed prediction markets could affect their license standing. The message reinforced that even with growth, oversight remains tight, and for now, the focus in Ohio is on keeping that growth grounded in physical casinos rather than extending it into the digital space.