Hollywood Gaming Breaks Four Months of VLT Declines

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio — After four straight months of declining video lottery terminal play at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, the racino saw a boost as $109.52 million was wagered in January.

While that’s still down from wagers in July through October, it’s still up from the $87.33 million wagered in December. It’s also down slightly from the $113.41 million wagered in January 2020, but up from the nearly $95.67 million that was wagered in January 2019.

The racino was closed from March 14 through June 19, 2020, due to state orders because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since bettors were allowed to return, wagers peaked at $117.4 million in August, but had dropped each month since until January.

In January, $97,281,734 credits were won and $1,480,257 in promotional play credits were provided. Net winnings – credits played minus credits won and promotional credits – were $10,755,661.

An average of 1,127 VLT terminals were available daily, with the average daily per-terminal winnings coming in at $308.

Net winnings were divided among racino operator Penn National Gaming, which received $7,116,752; the Ohio Lottery Commission, which received $3,603,146; and Problem Gambling Services, which received $35,793.

At Ohio’s seven VLT sites, wagers totaled $957.38 million. MGM Northfield had the most play, with $194.07 million wagered.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.