Temperatures warmed up across Ohio in August, encouraging many people to engage in outdoor activities rather than spend money in the state’s four casinos.

Revenues were down last month in Hollywood Casino Toledo and two of the other three casinos, and they were down statewide, according to a report released Wednesday by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Overall, revenues were down 5 percent at $62.8 million in August, the second worst month of 2016 with the good, warm weather possibly playing a factor. Year-to-date, revenues are down less than 1 percent at $542.9 million.

Generally, casinos do better when the weather outside is less appealing, experts say. But temperatures were nearly 4 degrees warmer than normal in Toledo, Cincinnati, and Columbus, and nearly 6 degrees warmer in Cleveland.

At Hollywood Casino Toledo, owned by Penn National Gaming, August revenues were down 10 percent to $14.6 million. It was by far the worst month for the Toledo casino in 2016. Year-to-date, revenues at the Toledo casino are up 1 percent.

At Jack Casino Cleveland, which is owned by Jack Entertainment, revenues were down 2 percent to $16.7 million last month. August revenues also were down at Jack Casino Cincinnati where they totaled $14.7 million, a decrease of 15.5 percent from a year ago.

Only Hollywood Casino Columbus showed an increase last month. August revenues there were up 7 percent at $16.8 million.

The revenues reported by the state commission include only gaming revenues. They do not take into account food and beverage sales or other transactions on the properties.

Gaming revenue at the state’s seven horse tracks that also have slot machines was $74.5 million in August. 

That was up nearly 4 percent from August, 2015, when revenues were $71.8 million, according to the Ohio Lottery Commission, which oversees the state’s racinos.

Contact Jon Chavez at: jchavez@theblade.com or 419-724-6128.

First Published September 8, 2016, 4:00 a.m.