“All businesses should have a fair chance to compete,” Attorney General DeWine said in a news release. “We’re investigating the movie theater chains because of concerns that smaller, independent businesses have been unfairly pushed out of the market. We’re conducting a thorough review to determine whether or not antitrust laws have been violated.”
AMC, Cinemark, and Regal previously have disclosed in public filings that they received civil investigative demands from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The investigation also has prompted nine other states to open similar probes into the theaters’ conduct.
If an antitrust investigation uncovers violations of state or federal laws, the Ohio Attorney General can seek an injunction or other monetary remedies.
AMC has theater locations in Hamilton and West Chester Twp. in Butler County and Regal has a theater in Deerfield Twp. in Warren County and in Beavercreek. Cinemark has theaters in Huber Heights, Beavercreek, the Dayton Mall and various locations through Cincinnati.
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