Live thoroughbred racing is one of Kentucky’s signature industries, but historic horse racing is leading the way in the state.
Speaking during the monthly meeting of the Kentucky Equestrian Commission June 21, Waqas Ahmed, KHRC’s director of pari-mutuel betting and compliance, informed the commissioners that Kentucky’s HHR gamepad had increased compared to last year, led by Churchill Downs‘Derby City’s gaming facility in Louisville.
HHR gaming devices have gained popularity as they have evolved to more closely resemble modern slot machines.
“On Derby Day, we placed a $46 million bet on the track at Churchill and of the residents of Kentucky through (other platforms) on Churchill. That same day, $31 million was spent on HHR on all facilities. $46 million for live racing and $31 million for HHR,” he said. “We look at the Saturday right after that—$27 million for the HHR, $2 million for the Churchill races.”
The HHR game is responsible for much of the Kentucky race’s purse growth and the expansion of racetracks and game centers in the state. Revolution Racing, a group interested in opening a Quarter horse racing facility with HHR in Eastern Kentucky, provided an information session about their proposed racetrack before the commissioners on Tuesday.
With HHR revenue supporting the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, the trustees approved the KHRC committee’s proposal to transfer $200,000 of funds to Ellis . Park and support a committee-approved request from Kentucky Downs to apply KTDF funds for the promotion of the race meeting in September.
