Ohio’s casino, racino business dips 26% in 2020, a year of coronavirus disruptions; state out $165 million in taxes and fees
Updated Jan 07, 2021;
Posted Jan 07, 2021
Ohio s casino and racino gambling revenue dipped 26% in 2020 amid partial and full closings related to coronavirus concerns.Rich Exner, cleveland.com
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio’s casino and racino industry enjoyed record performances when fully operating in 2020, but gambling revenue for the year overall was down $500 million, mainly the result of full and partial closings ordered by Gov. Mike DeWine because of coronavirus concerns.
Reports released Thursday by the state’s casino control and lottery commissions show gambling revenue totaled $1.44 billion for the year at the 11 facilities across Ohio, down 26% from a record $1.94 billion in 2019.
CANTON TWP. As they looking to adopt more strict zoning regulations for skill games parlors, township trustees recessed a public hearing Tuesday and plan to make a decision Jan. 19.
The proposed amendment to the township zoning code would require operators of such businesses to secure registration or a license with the Ohio Casino Control Commission prior to opening.
The stores also would have to seek a township conditional-use permit and be limited to operating in industrially zoned areas.
During the public hearing, a man representing The Vault at 2742 Cleveland Ave. SW asked township officials for some leniency during the first half of this year.
Mankindâs infatuation with gambling has been around for so long that it precedes written history. For centuries we have invented new ways to make wagers with one another in hopes of a greater experience or greater personal gain. Early gamblers would likely be amazed by all the advances modern technology has brought to the gambling world. Weâve come a long way since the six-sided dice.
William Shepherd is the Director of Clinical Operations at the Pike County Recovery Council. He says that with all the changes in recent years to gambling, perhaps the biggest game-changer is the availability and ease of placing a bet in the modern world, âThe biggest change really is the nationalization of online betting to the point where now you donât have to go anywhere. If you have a cell phone right now, you can place a bet virtually anywhere about virtually anything throughout the country.â
A trailblazer for women in public service
Jo Ann Davidson
Known as a trailblazer for women in public service, Jo Ann Davidson was awarded the highest honor a university can bestow at the Bowling Green State University Virtual Celebration for fall 2020 graduates.
Davidson received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from BGSU following an unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees in recognition of a career that paved the way for others, particularly women, to serve in government.
Davidson is the president of JAD and Associates LLC, a consulting firm which was founded in 2001, and has provided strategic planning, public policy and public affairs advice to a broad client base.
rselak@tribtoday.com
WARREN Revenue at Ohio’s four casinos was off 20 percent in November, a slide that’s likely due in large part to the state curfew meant to slow the spread of the surging viral outbreak.
“It’s hard for us to say with absolute certainty, but I would say that is definitely going to be a factor into what we saw,” said Jessica Franks, spokeswoman with the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
The latest report from the commission shows the $59.5 million in revenue the casinos brought in is $15.2 million less than October, a month the casinos experienced a bit of a rebound after a two-month period of falling numbers.