Update: Ohio Gaming Overview
August 9, 2002

Of the 25 largest bingo operations in Ohio, nine are located in Franklin County. Only Cuyahoga County bets and raises more money through bingo than Franklin County. Last year, $76.5 million was wagered in licensed games run by 59 Franklin County charities. $10.5 million of the wagered amount went to the charities.

On a statewide basis in 2001, 985 licensed charities raised $83.1 million from the $617.2 million that was wagered. But, sales of instant games, which cost between one and five dollars each, accounted for over two-thirds of the money wagered at bingo parlors. Instant games can pay as much as $25,000, while traditional games by law can only payout $3,500 in a 5-hour session.

The state-run lottery is the largest form of legal gambling in Ohio. Bingo is the second largest, placing it ahead of horse racing.

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Ohioan Casino Gambling Statistics
August 6, 2002

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., which operates 25 casinos in the United States, released the results of its 2002 survey of the American Casino Gambler, including several statistics about casino gamblers from Ohio.

In 2001, 21.9 percent of Ohioans over the age of 21 participated in casino gambling, averaging 3 trips per year. Ohio gamblers traveled to southern Illinois and Indiana 31 percent of the time and Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario in Canada 23 percent of the time, followed by Las Vegas, Nevada and West Virginia. The national average for casino participation is 27 percent.

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