Ohio strong, Maryland stable, Illinois stinks

Buckeye State casinos continued their impressive run last month, up 5% to gross $172 million. This is Ohio‘s best-ever August, even with an unfavorable calendar (one less weekend day). Star performer was Hollywood Toledo, up 33% to $23 million. MGM Northfield Park has lost its state-leading status, grossing $19 million and down 7%. Also grossing $19 million was Hollywood Columbus (flat with 2019). JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff had projected both Penn National Gaming casinos to perform poorly this year, down 25%. Instead, Toledo is tracking to be 65% up and Columbus (above) to cede only 2.5%. Jack Cleveland was up only 1.5% but that was good for $18 million, while Jack Thistledown jumped 15.5% to $14 million and Hard Rock Cincinnati was flat at $17 million.