The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission recently unanimously voted to allow Las Vegas-based Scientific Games to offer historical horseracing gaming machines at two Churchill Downs properties in Kentucky, Derby City Gaming in Louisville and Oak Grove Racing and Gaming in Oak Grove. The games will operate on Ainsworth Game Technology’s proprietary historical horseracing system, using racing data through an exclusive license with Churchill Downs.
The action is Scientific Games’ first venture into historical horseracing game development; the company also offers slot machines, casino table games, sports betting platforms and lottery games. Derby City Gaming will receive its machines later this month. Located near the Louisville International Airport and the historic Churchill Downs Racetrack, the 85,000-square-foot facility currently offers 1,000 historical racing machines with 90 different themes. Oak Grove Racing and Gaming will receive its first delivery of Scientific Games machines when its gaming venue opens later this year. It will offer 1,200 historical horseracing games.
The two Kentucky properties will receive several of Scientific Games’ most popular titles, including 88 Fortunes, Tree of Wealth, Quick Hit, Lock It Link and Ultimate Fire Link.
Churchill Downs Senior Vice President, Gaming Operations Austin Miller said, “Scientific Games makes some of the best-performing games in the industry and we are delighted to add them to our Derby City and Oak Grove properties. The sheer depth of their content library, along with their diverse and innovative hardware portfolio, enables us to considerably expand our game offering.”
Ainsworth Game Technology Chief Operating Officer Ryan Comstock said, “We have enjoyed a great partnership with the CDI team, and are excited to bring in Scientific Games to this unique partnership. The addition of SG games and platforms on our proprietary HHR system will create an even more robust gaming mix for both these properties.”
Scientific Games Chief Revenue Officer Robert Parente added Churchill Downs and Ainsworth “have been pioneers in opening up this burgeoning new segment of the gaming market. The games have tax benefits similar to Class II games.” He said being “first out of the gate” among the major slot machine developers will give Scientific Games an advantage as the historical horseracing games market expands in the U.S.
Kentucky racetracks offer more historical horseracing games than any other state. Churchill Downs recently announced plans to add a historical horseracing venue at its namesake racetrack, which is set to open by next year and would operate in conjunction with Derby City Gaming. Churchill Downs also plans to install the machines at Turfway Park and a nearby satellite facility in northern Kentucky. In addition, Kentucky Downs, located near the Tennessee state line, is investing $25 million to increase its historical horseracing machines from 753 to 1,200 by this summer. And Ellis Park in Henderson already has added more than 100 machines for a total of 300; owners are planning to invest $100 million in the racetrack to add machines and make the venue a year-round destination.
Nebraska, Idaho, Wyoming and Texas also are considering legalizing the games. Virginia allowed them last year at Colonial Downs Racetrack
