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Ohio's sports betting revenue down $114 million since January

A report from the Ohio Casino Control Commission shows revenue from sports betting has leveled out.

CLEVELAND — Four months after sports betting became legal in Ohio, the numbers seem to have leveled out.

A report from the Ohio Casino Control Commission shows revenue down $114 million since January.

"It came out of the gates really aggressively," explained JACK Entertainment senior vice president of sports and digital gaming Adam Suliman.

In January, Ohio brought in $209,302,866 from sports gambling.

Suliman told 3News that promotional and advertisement spending has been reduced since January from sports betting operators. For example, in January, JACK Entertainment spent $1.2 million on promotions, as opposed to $230,000 in March.

To attract customers to their sportsbook, JACK Entertainment has held larger viewing events during main sporting events.

"We try to program our properties around specific events that folks want to get out on the town and enjoy with their friends," said Suliman.

Meanwhile, more than 900 sports betting kiosks operated by the Ohio Lottery have generated around $75,000. 

"From a player perspective the biggest challenge continues to be player education on the type C program," said Ohio Lottery communications director Danielle Frizzi-Babb.

While it's unclear if sports betting played a role, Frizzi-Babb told 3News that there's been a small impact on KENO in March and April.

However, the traditional lottery remains undeterred. Since July, lottery sales are around $3.4 billion.

"We are on pace to set another record this year for transfers to the Lottery Profits Education Fund," said Frizzi-Babb.

Suliman expects sports betting operators to invest more funds in promotions closer to the fall, when football begins.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission releases updated revenue reports at the end of each month.

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