Historical Horse Racing Gaming in KY Continues Growth

Revenue from historical horse racing gaming, responsible for soaring purses in Kentucky and profits for track operators, swelled in December, according to figures announced during a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting Feb. 27.

Andy Conway, director of pari-mutuel wagering and compliance for the KHRC, told commissioners that wagers on the slot-like HHR devices grew by 27%, representing an additional $184 million wagered compared to December 2022. He said the figures included gambling that followed the openings of Derby City Gaming Downtown in Louisville, the Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run in Southern Kentucky, and Sandy's Racing & Gaming in Eastern Kentucky.

Derby City Gaming is affiliated with Churchill Downs, The Mint Gaming Hall with Kentucky Downs, and Sandy's Racing & Gaming with Revolutionary Racing, which conducts Quarter Horse racing.

Conway said on-track handle at Turfway Park in December was flat, but that simulcast wagering grew 17% and advance deposit wagering was up 4%, all relative to a year earlier. Sports wagering also began favorably across the state last year, another KHRC official said.

Turfway Park general manager Chip Bach said the Northern Kentucky track plans to address a structurally damaged backstretch guard shack to benefit barn-area security and "assist us if a horse gets loose as well."

Earlier this month, a horse at Turfway escaped handlers and the backstretch area before racing loose on nearby Interstate 75. KHRC chief state steward Barbara Borden said he was "thankfully caught without much ado or injury to himself or any humans about six or seven miles up the road."