The Ohio Slate is a weekly look at developments in Ohio’s gaming industry — including betting angles — as the state prepares to launch legal sportsbooks on Jan. 1, 2023.
PENN Entertainment announced earlier in the week plans to build a new hotel at Hollywood Casino Columbus.
At an estimated budget of $100 million, plans call for 180 rooms and new food and beverage options. It will be connected to the current property and figures to add 100 permanent jobs, as well as 100 temporary construction jobs. Work on the new hotel is expected to get underway in late 2023, subject to regulatory approval.
PENN Entertainment also announced plans to build a second hotel tower at the M Resort in Henderson, Nevada, as well as plans to relocate riverboat casinos in Aurora and Joliet, Illinois, to new land-based properties.
https://twitter.com/kylepigman/status/1580134246186127361
“We are also pleased to announce the expansion of our offerings at two of our best performing properties – Hollywood Casino Columbus in Ohio and the M Resort in Henderson, Nevada, subject to municipal approvals,” PENN Entertainment CEO and President Jay Snowden said in a statement. “Since opening in 2012, our Columbus property has experienced tremendous growth, and the addition of a hotel at the property will create a true regional destination.”
PENN Entertainment has three other properties in Ohio: Hollywood Casino Toledo, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course. PENN Entertainment also announced that it has reached an agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) on a new master lease that includes several properties, including Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo. The agreement, which will become effective on Jan. 1, involves GLPI contributing to the funding for new growth projects.
JACK Entertainment reveals sportsbook plans
JACK Entertainment has shared photographs and specifics about the sportsbooks being constructed at JACK Thistledown Racino and JACK Cleveland Casino.
Only a few weeks after Adam Suliman, vice president of online gaming at JACK Entertainment, indicated that it was waiting to reveal any specific updates regarding the two sportsbooks, the northeast Ohio-based gambling and entertainment company has released details about both sites.
JACK Thistledown Racino’s betJACK sportsbook will take up 4,200 square feet of space. Rooms will have a seating capacity of 76, which will include 28 theater-style recliners equipped with phone-charging outlets. Another 28 seats will be made available for seven low-boy tables. Five high-boy tables will be paired with four barstools.
Yesterday, it felt *really* real — Ohio's Sportsbook is coming.
Thank you to @WEWS, @clevelanddotcom, & @CrainsCleveland for stopping by to tour the @betJACK sportsbook construction! pic.twitter.com/Hpj9wgNruM
— JACK Thistledown (@JACKThistledown) October 6, 2022
Patrons will be able to watch sports on a 30-foot video wall, as well as on 14 85-inch high-definition televisions. The room will be furnished with a large odds board and a large sports ticker, and the racino will have four betting windows and 20 self-service betting kiosks available.
JACK Cleveland Casino sportsbook to seat 99
At JACK Cleveland Casino, the betJACK sportsbook is scheduled to take up to 6,000 square feet of space on the first floor.
It will seat 99, which will include 45 theater-style recliners with phone-charging outlets. Additionally, there will be seven low-boy tables with four swivel chairs, two small banquette-style seats with room for four each, and one large banquette-style seat with room for up to six patrons. A video poker bar large enough to accommodate a dozen people is also in the plans.
The sportsbook will be equipped with a 35-foot video wall, along with 14 85-inch high-definition televisions and a 16-foot odds board. Patrons will also have access to five betting windows and 20 self-service betting kiosks. The sportsbook will be large enough for 11 table games.
Ohio posts record gambling revenue for September
For the second straight month, Ohio’s casinos and racinos have posted record gambling revenue.
The state’s seven racinos and four casinos totaled $188.6 million in gambling revenue in September, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission and Ohio Lottery Commission. The gambling venues totaled $185.4 million in the same month last year.
Ohio’s racinos brought in $107.2 million, while Ohio’s four casinos reported $81.4 million in gambling revenue last month, following a record total of $196 million in gambling revenue for August. Through the first nine months of 2022, Ohio’s casinos and racinos have accounted for $1.76 billion in gambling revenue, which is slightly ahead of the $1.74 billion that was collected through the same time period a year earlier.
Three of the four casinos saw an increase in gambling revenue in September compared to a year earlier. Only Hollywood Casino Toledo brought in less revenue for September, totaling $17.1 million for September 2022 compared to $19.7 million for September 2021. Hollywood Casino Columbus accounted for the largest increase in gambling revenue from a year earlier, recording $22.2 million last month while tallying $19.7 million in September 2021.
Among the racinos, MGM Northfield Park posted an increase in gambling revenue for September, tallying $23.6 million last month compared to $22.9 million for September 2021. Miami Valley Gaming also posted gains, hauling in $18.8 million last month after recording $17.5 million in September 2021.
JACK Thistledown Racino recorded $14.9 million for September, down from $15.6 million for September 2021. Belterra Park also recorded less revenue than a year ago, posting $6.5 million last month compared to $7.8 million for September 2021.
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Image: Blundell Design
