The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has released its March 2024 revenue report, revealing a notable surge in revenue for the month. The combined taxable revenue from the state’s four casinos amounted to over $94.7 million, marking a significant 13.4% increase from February 2024’s gaming revenue of $83.5 million.

Moreover, there’s a modest 1.4% annual rise in revenue compared to the previous year. It’s worth noting that this revenue encompasses earnings from both slots and table games and excludes in-person sports betting, as online casinos are not yet legalized in Ohio.

While Ohio has yet to legalize online casinos, recent discussions among lawmakers suggest a potential shift in this landscape. Lawmakers have convened to deliberate on the feasibility of legalizing online casinos, citing the state’s interest in this burgeoning sector and the thriving markets already established in neighboring states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Monthly Revenue Surge Across Ohio Casinos

The OCCC’s March 2024 revenue report indicates across-the-board monthly revenue increases for all four casinos. Of the total taxable revenue of $94.7 million, slot revenue contributed $69.0 million, with table games bringing in $25.7 million. Notably, Hollywood Columbus demonstrated the most substantial monthly progress, with a revenue of $25.6 million, reflecting a robust 13.3% monthly growth. Other casinos also saw notable increases in revenue compared to the previous month:

• Jack Cleveland Casino: $24.5 million in revenue, a 13.3% monthly rise
• Hollywood Toledo: $22.5 million in revenue, a 16.8% monthly increase
• Hard Rock Cincinnati: $22.2 million in revenue, up by 10.5% from February

Annual Revenue Trends

Examining the year-over-year performance, there are varied trends among the casinos. Hollywood Toledo and Hollywood Columbus both reported annual rises, with increases of 8.2% and 5.1%, respectively. Jack Cleveland Casino saw a marginal annual increase of 0.4%. However, Hard Rock Cincinnati experienced a notable annual decline of nearly 7.5%, the only casino to do so in March. This contrasts with February, where Jack Cleveland Casino had shown a year-over-year decline.

Recent discussions among Ohio lawmakers have revolved around the possibility of legalizing online casinos. The Study Commission on the Future of Gaming in Ohio, in its initial meetings, has delved into the topic, with upcoming sessions slated to address various aspects, including iLottery, racinos/charitable gaming, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports. Proponents argue that regulating online casinos could aid in addressing issues related to problem gambling while potentially generating significant tax revenue for the state. Estimates suggest that Ohio could generate between $205 million and $410 million annually in new tax revenue if online casinos were legalized.

The success and revenue generated by neighboring states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where online casinos are thriving, serve as compelling examples for Ohio lawmakers. With these states raking in substantial tax revenues from iGaming, the pressure mounts for Ohio to consider legalizing online casinos, possibly in the near future or by 2025.

Source: “Ohio Casino Control Commission. “Monthly Revenue Report: March 2024.” [pdf]

The post Ohio Casino Revenue Surges in March; Talks of Legalizing Online Casinos Gain Traction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

FanDuel, a North American online gambling powerhouse, unveiled a $1 million donation supporting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The money, according to the announcement, will help the latter organization build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline for under-represented students.

UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization and helps young people from under-represented communities become highly qualified college graduates. The organization will use FanDuel’s money to provide financial support to students at 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across Ohio.

This is notably FanDuel’s third donation to the UNCF in three years. Previously, the gambling company provided similar donations to support UNCF’s initiatives in Virginia and Maryland.

The donation will see the organization provide direct aid to help students in a variety of areas. This will notably include technology, housing, food security, tuition and other education-related expenses, the announcement says. In addition, FanDuel will work with the philanthropic organization to recruit students from the schools to join its internship program.

According to the announcement, FanDuel’s decision to support UNCF’s efforts in Ohio celebrates the one-year anniversary of the launch of mobile sports betting in The Buckeye State.

For reference, the 10 colleges that will benefit from the donations include the following:

• Case Western University
• Central State University
• Chamberlain University
• Franklin University
• Herzing University-Akron
• Ohio State University-Newark Campus
• Union Institute & University
• Ursuline College
• Wilberforce University
• University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College

UNCF Thanked FanDuel for Its Support

Maurice E. Jenkins, UNCF’s executive vice president and chief fundraising officer, praised FanDuel’s ongoing support, saying that his team truly appreciates the gambling company’s backing. He added that financial and academic support like this is what makes a real difference for HBCUs and their students.

We look forward to continuing our partnership; students benefit so much from internship opportunities.

Maurice E. Jenkins, EVP & CFO, UNCF

FanDuel’s president, Christian Genetski, also commented on the matter, saying that his team continues to strive to make a positive impact in the communities in which the company operates.

As we reflect on our first year of operation in Ohio, we’re proud to continue our partnership with UNCF to support the HBCU community in the state and look forward to supporting hard-working students at institutions across Ohio.

Christian Genetski, president, FanDuel

In other news, FanDuel recently launched a new campaign featuring the NFL star Rob Gronkowski.

The post FanDuel Celebrates a Year of Mobile Betting in Ohio, Donates $1M to UNCF appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Commenting on his LinkedIn page, Cory Brown, manager of problem gambling services at Ohio Casino Control Commission, has confirmed that the regulator is stepping up in providing local players with further safeguards.

Ohio Unflattering in its Commitment to Tackling Problem Gambling

One of the most challenging issues in terms of recovery from gambling addiction is the financial ramifications of reckless spending. This significant weight has been ignored by most healthcare providers worldwide, but Ohio intends to stay at the cutting edge of problem gambling help by addressing the taxing issue headlong.

Following the introduction of Time Out Ohio with the help of Gamban, a software dedicated to excluding players and preventing them from gambling, Ohio has now teamed up with GamFin, a company that specifically focuses on bringing together various professionals who can help better understand how gambling harm works and the financial implications of addiction, along with tested methodology that helps victims and vulnerable consumers recover and maintain their recovery.

People who get help in Ohio because of their gambling addiction will now also have access to financial counselors who can help them tackle this matter by looking into the unique financial circumstances of each problem gambler and charting a way forward. As Brown puts it, “GamFin can help you carry the load.”

Taking on the Most Challenging Aspects of Addiction

GamFin’s staff are trained financial counselors who can act as personal finance subject-matter experts, Brown shared, optimistically adding:

GamFin’s counselors are available both to individual clients and to treatment providers, helping you tackle financial questions and develop solutions to get back on track.

Cory Brown

Ohio is showing a very high commitment to tackling responsible gambling at a time when some jurisdictions, including Washington D.C. are actually cutting the budget allocated to problem gamblers.

In the meantime, Ohio is also trying to minimize harm in other ways, one of which is by restricting the number of advertisements and the connection between promotional offers and non-gambling transactions. This has been criticized by local operators. In truth, the move is unorthodox and Ohio is showing a much greater-than-average involvement in the fate of problem gamblers in the United States, a country which is right now going through a growth spurt

The post Ohio Seeks to Bolster Problem Gambling with Financial Advisors appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic will be the 13^th time that the Missouri Tigers are taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 10-1-1, but it’s been a while since these two played each other the last time. In fact, their previous duel happened in 1998.

Twenty-five years later, the Tigers are favored to win. However, the odds suggest the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic is going to be a very close game.

Missouri Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic Odds

9231 players claimed the offer this month

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas             
• Date: Friday, December 29, 2023
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: ESPN

Missouri Tigers Want to Cash In on Their Good Form

The Missouri Tigers finished the regular NCAAF season with a 10-2 record. Their only losses happened to Georgia and LSU. In both of those games, Missouri was the underdog.

Throughout the season, Eliah Drinkwitz’s boys were good both offensively and defensively. They did concede 49 points against LSU, but Missouri’s defensive team kept all the other opponents to no more than 31 points.

Still, if there’s something their fans will remember the 2023 college season for, it’s Missouri’s super-productive offense. Their average was 34.08 PPG, which is pretty respectable.

They got to such a high number thanks to some brilliant performance of their quarterback Brady Cook who threw for 3,189 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2023. His favorite target was wide receiver Luther Burden who recorded 1,197 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this season.