The four land-based casinos in Ohio have contributed just over $1 billion in tax to the Midwestern state’s cities, counties, schools and agencies since opening in 2012 and 2013 including $65.31 million in the three months to the end of June.
According to a report from the Ohio Department Of Taxation, the casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Columbus have handed over approximately $1.054 billion since May 1, 2012, with an average of $62 million a quarter.
The highest three-month period was January to March of this year when the venues contributed just over $71.1 million to the state while the lowest at $19.7 million came in the second quarter of 2012 although only the Hollywood Casino Toledo and Jack Cleveland Casino had opened. Despite competition from racinos in North Randall, Columbus, Dayton, Lebanon, Youngstown, Cincinnati and Northfield, this figure had risen to $70.6 million a quarter a year later following the premiere of the Hollywood Casino Columbus and the Jack Cincinnati Casino.
Ohio levies a 33% tax on its casinos’ adjusted gross gambling revenues with the state’s 88 counties sharing 51% of this amount based on their population. The report shows that the most populous of these, Cuyahoga County, received slightly more than $1.8 million over the recent quarter followed by Franklin County getting approximately $1.79 million and $1.15 million for Hamilton County.
Under the Casino Control Law passed in 2011, school districts receive 34% of the state’s remaining take based on enrollment while the four host cities receive 5%. The legislation additionally earmarks funds for public and charter schools, the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Racing Commission as well as for law enforcement and problem gambling funds.