CINCINNATI — The casino business is a good bet right now in Ohio. Gambling revenue data shows casinos are bouncing back better than ever after facing restrictions during the pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio’s casinos are rebounding strongly after the pandemic caused hardship

  • In June, Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos raked in nearly $197 million 

  • The Hard Rock Casino and Cafe in Cincinnati is prepping for increased business

  • Hard Rock Cincinnati is actively hiring with sign-on bonuses for new employees

The Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is capping off its transition from the JACK casino and numbers show they’re already trending up, but they’re not the only ones.

Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos raked in nearly $197 million dollars in gambling revenue in June alone, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Lottery.  

That’s the highest recorded amount in June in any year thus far. It's also the fourth-best month behind only March, April and May of this year. 

The Hard Rock Cincinnati is averaging more than $20 million dollars per month in gambling revenue over the last four months including a record $21.3 million in April.

With casinos across the state booming, the Hard Rock is preparing for increased business. To handle the amount of business, casinos are hiring.

“In order to operate the Hard Rock Cafe Cincinnati, we’re looking for about 140 team members total,” Hard Rock Cafe Cincinnati General Manager Angie Garbett said. “Up to date we have about 60-70, so we’re still looking for all those great team member candidates to come in.” 

Garbett said the pandemic has created a hiring challenge, but the Cafe is holding auditions daily until Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to make the process easier for applicants. Sign-on bonuses are included. 

“We also have incentive of up to $1,000 dollars for people to come in and join our band,” Garbett said.  

Positions range from card dealers, to servers and hosts, to line cooks in Chef Dudley Ankle’s kitchen. Ankle takes great pride in helping others grow. 

“I’m very big on helping others get to where they want to be,” Ankle said. “I don’t want anyone to come and be the same person when they came to me as when they left. I want them to become su-chefs, executive chefs somewhere else. Grow with our company, grow with our brand,” said Ankle. 

Ankle said the kitchen staff is aiming to make a great first impression on Cincinnatians. 

“Our goal is always to be legendary — that’s number one,” he said. “We’re only as good as our last plate, so we always try to give excellent service, great tasting food with the best quality food we can make every single time,” said Ankle. 

Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas said one of the most exciting parts of opening a new Hard Rock Cafe is the boost in jobs it provides. 

“One of the most gratifying things about opening a cafe in this town or any other town is the economic impact that it has on that particular city, specifically in the jobs that it creates,” Lucas said. “And so we’re really glad to be able to contribute to the economy of Cincinnati and make an impact from an economic impact and jobs standpoint.”

The leadership team at the Cafe said they’re excited to add more staff members to balance the growing interest in the casino. 

“If you’re it and your audition goes well, we’re going to hire you right on the spot,” Garbett said. 

For more information about the open positions at the Hard Rock Cincinnati visit the careers website.