Ohio’s first casino continues to offer the best in gaming while planning for what’s next
It’s been 10 years since a casino opened its doors on Public Square, embracing the spirit and energy of downtown, becoming another catalyst for continued revitalization, and launching a new era of entertainment in Northeast Ohio.
JACK Entertainment opened its historic downtown property on May 14, 2012, as the first casino to operate in Ohio. They’ve drawn more than 31 million visitors in their first decade and prioritized being an excellent civic partner and an unparalleled entertainment destination.
“We knew from the start that a casino would bring a missing element and energy to Northeast Ohio, which is why we worked so hard to make it a reality,” said Matt Cullen, Chairman of the Board of JACK Entertainment. “The region has welcomed us warmly from day one, and we’re proud to have become such an integral part of the community.”
Since opening, the casino has paid more than $700 million in gaming taxes, which supports the city of Cleveland and its schools. It’s donated over $17 million to local organizations, including the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, University Hospitals, the American Cancer Society, and Downtown Cleveland Alliance. JACK has also invested nearly $500 million into downtown, including rescuing and renovating the landmark Higbee Building and refurbishing two adjacent parking garages. JACK Cleveland Casino is a significant employer in the city, creating thousands of jobs partnering with diverse local vendors, suppliers, and contractors. Most importantly, its employees have given back to the community by volunteering more than 35,000 hours to local organizations and causes, such as Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, and others.
“We are a Cleveland-based company and when the city thrives, we do too,” said JACK Entertainment’s CEO Mark Dunkeson. “We’re excited to be a part of downtown’s revival, and we look forward to the next decade of helping a great city become even greater.”
To celebrate its 10th anniversary and to thank all its guests, JACK will give away $1,000 every 10 minutes from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays this month, culminating in a guaranteed $10,000 winner at 10 p.m. every Saturday in May. JACK also plans to recognize 244 team members that have been with the company since the beginning.
Yet, as the company celebrates a successful 10 years, they look toward the future and prepare for Sports Betting in Ohio. Although the official date has not been set, JACK has launched its own mobile and online betting platform, betJACK. They call it “Training Camp,” a fun and engaging way to educate Ohioans on real-money sports wagering by giving customers daily free tokes to make real betting wagers risk-free.
The betJACK app will then transition to JACK’s complete feature platform upon the launch of real-money sports betting. The app is available now for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play by searching betJACK. To learn more about the brand and other sports betting news and content, visit betJACK.com.
