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Instant Racing: $19M in Bets in Three Months

Instant Racing at Kentucky Downs produced more than $19.52 million in wagers in its first three months of operation, according to figures from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Geary: Ellis Park Could Lure Casino Customers

The president of Ellis Park said Oct. 24 he believes implementation of Instant Racing could attract some of the customers in the area who have been whetting their gambling appetite at a nearby Indiana casino.

Ellis Park Wants 252 Instant Racing Terminals

Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., has submitted an application for regulatory approval to conduct Instant Racing, stipulating that it would use more than 13,200 square feet of its facility to house 252 gaming terminals.

Instant Racing Poised to Expand in Kentucky

With Instant Racing off to a successful start at Kentucky Downs, other tracks in the Bluegrass state are making plans to usher in the form of electronic gaming.

Court Denies Request to Halt Instant Racing

A public policy group's request to halt Instant Racing at Kentucky Downs was denied by the Kentucky Court of Appeals Oct. 5.

Kentucky Group Again Targets Instant Racing

The Family Foundation of Kentucky continued its efforts to halt Instant Racing at Kentucky Downs Sept. 21 when it asked state Attorney General Jack Conway to classify the games as illegal slot machines.

Instant Racing Tied to Simulcast Handle Jump

Kentucky Downs said the launch of Instant Racing Sept. 1 led to year-over-year increases in pari-mutuel handle on simulcast races over Labor Day weekend.

KY Judge Denies Injunction on Instant Racing

A Kentucky Court of Appeals judge Sept. 8 denied a request for an emergency injunction that would have idled Instant Racing machines at Kentucky Downs.

Kentucky Downs Says Instant Racing Play Good

Kentucky Downs is reporting receipts of more than a half-million dollars from Instant Racing machines during their first five days of operation.

Handle Declines at Ellis Park

During Ellis Park's 31-day day race meet July 2-Sept. 5, the Henderson, Ky. track saw declines in all-source handle that were in line with the overall decrease in 2011 U.S. betting on Thoroughbred racing.

Kentucky Group Seeks to Halt Instant Racing

The Family Foundation of Kentucky has filed an injunction in the Kentucky Court of Appeals to halt the operation of Instant Racing machines at Kentucky Downs.

Instant Racing Launched at Kentucky Downs

Kentucky Downs Sept. 1 officially became the first racetrack in the state to operate expanded pari-mutuel wagering in the form of Instant Racing machines.

Kentucky Downs: 'Canary in the Coal Mine'

Amid the uncertainty of reception in the marketplace and a lingering legal challenge, Kentucky Downs officially christened expanded pari-mutuel wagering via Instant Racing machines during an evening reception Aug. 30.

KY Downs to Launch Instant Racing Sept. 1

Kentucky Downs will inaugurate Instant Racing in Kentucky Sept. 1 and believes the form of pari-mutuel wagering can help restore "vibrancy" to the state's horse racing industry.

KY Downs' Instant Racing to be First Class

The president of Kentucky Downs said the track is nearing completion of work needed to implement a form of Instant Racing and that it will be a "first class" operation and that the opening date will be announced soon.

Horsemen to Help Defray Instant Racing Costs

When Kentucky Downs becomes the first Kentucky track to implement Instant Racing, it will do so with the takeout from the electronic games allocated to purses during the first year being used to help defray startup costs.

Churchill Non-Committal on Instant Racing

The chairman of Churchill Downs Inc. said July 28 that the racetrack and gaming company may not proceed with installation of Instant Racing machines even after pending litigation is finalized, likely some time in 2012.

KY Commission Set to OK First Instant Racing

The staff of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is recommending that the regulatory body on July 14 grant approval to Kentucky Downs to become the first track in the state to implement Instant Racing.

KY Downs Preparing Instant Racing Application

It appears Kentucky Downs will be the first racetrack in the state to apply to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for an Instant Racing license.

KY Tracks Wait-and-See on Instant Racing

Regulations governing Instant Racing in Kentucky apparently will be on the books July 1, but there won't be a rush by racetracks to move forward on implementing the games.

KTDF Revenue Decline of Concern to Panel

Members of an advisory committee that oversees the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund expressed concern June 8 over diminishing revenue for the program as well as one racetrack's suspension of full-card simulcasts.

KEEP to Host Telephone Town Hall Meeting

The Kentucky Equine Education Project and Corey Johnsen, the organization's new chairman, will host a telephone town hall meeting May 18 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Instant Racing Could Begin Before Ruling

An attorney for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said it is possible the state's racetracks could be approved to offer a form of "Instant Racing" before the state's Court of Appeals rules on its legality.

Report: KY Instant Racing to Appeals Court

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled the Instant Racing case will be heard by the state Court of Appeals before it tackles the issue.

Status of Turfway, KY Industry Discussed

Officials wouldn't comment April 8 on growing rumors of an impending ownership change at Turfway Park in Kentucky, but they did say plans call for live racing to continue.

KY Group Does About-Face on Instant Racing

The Family Foundation of Kentucky, in an about-face, is attempting to slow the process by which a ruling on Instant Racing will be issued by the courts.

Instant Racing Bill Passes Virginia Senate

The Virginia Senate has again approved legislation authorizing Instant Racing--wagering on historical races--but the bill's reception in the House remains uncertain.

Expedited KY Instant Racing Ruling Sought

A decision on whether Instant Racing is a legal form of gambling should go straight to the state Supreme Court, says the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the state's racetracks.

Kentucky 'Instant Racing' Ruling Appealed

As expected, the Family Foundation of Kentucky has appealed a circuit court ruling that wagering on previously-run races via electronic devices is legal in the state.

Judge: Instant Racing Rules Under KHRC Valid

A Kentucky circuit court judge has ruled draft regulations for Instant Racing "are a valid and lawful exercise" of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's statutory authority.

KY 'Instant Racing' Decision Before Jan. 1

After hearing from both sides of the issue, a Kentucky judge said Dec. 14 he would issue a ruling on whether a form of Instant Racing is legal in the state prior to the end of the year.

Hearing Set on Kentucky 'Instant Racing'

A Kentucky judge has set Dec. 14 as the date when all sides will present oral arguments on whether a form of Instant Racing proposed for the state's racetracks is legal.

Turfway Park, Horsemen at Odds Over Contract

For the first time in several years, horsemen and management at Turfway Park are at odds over terms of a contract that would be in effect for the holiday meet that begins Dec. 2 and runs through Dec. 31.

Pros, Cons of Instant Racing Aired in KY

A public hearing designed to gauge public opinion about a proposal to permit "Instant Racing" type wagering in Kentucky became a faceoff between representatives of the state's horse industry and the Family Foundation.

Ky Public Hearing on Instant Racing Sept. 29

The public gets another opportunity to comment on new Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regulations that would allow Instant Racing machines at the racetracks.

KY Group Officially Challenges Instant Racing

The Family Foundation of Kentucky is officially seeking to become party to legal action tied to proposed regulations for Instant Racing at the state's racetracks.

Oaklawn Park Announces $4.6 Million in Stakes

Oaklawn Park has announced a 32-stakes program totaling $4.6 million for the 56-day meet that begins Jan. 14, 2011.

Group May Enter Kentucky Instant Racing Case

Family Foundation of Kentucky may join a suit seeking a declaratory judgment on the legality of Instant Racing in an attempt to keep open its options.

Hollywood Park Plans to Race Through 2011

Hollywood Park plans to race through the 2011 calendar year, track president Jack Liebau said.

Churchill Undecided on Form of Instant Racing

Churchill Downs has not decided whether to implement a form of Instant Racing should the VLT-like games be approved for Kentucky tracks, according to Churchill Downs Inc. president and CEO Robert Evans.

KY Judge Expedites Instant Racing Petition

A Kentucky judge is expediting the process by which various parties in the horse racing industry have requested a ruling on proposed administrative regulations involving Instant Racing.

What's Going On Here: High-Stakes Games

Why support an industry that cannot sustain itself? Because wherever this debate occurs, it's important to see that the racetrack is only part of the equation.

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KY Commission Approves Form of Instant Racing

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has unanimously approved regulations that will permit "Instant Racing" wagering at the state's licensed tracks as a way to combat declining revenues and competition.

KY Hopes Talk of Aid for Racing Legitimate

On the heels of a successful opening weekend at Ellis Park comes word of a few initiatives that, if they come to fruition, could generate or repurpose revenue for Kentucky racing. But will it be enough?

KY Commission Waiting on Instant Racing

If the Kentucky General Assembly ends without passing legislation that would statutorily permit Instant Racing machines at Kentucky racetracks, the state racing commission would then consider its options.

In Kentucky, No Instant Racing Anytime Soon

Legislation to authorize Instant Racing at Kentucky racetracks apparently won't come up again anytime soon.

Thayer Makes Case for Instant Racing Bill

Republican Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer spent more than an hour March 18 in a GOP caucus in an attempt to make a case for Instant Racing via statutory approval.

KY Horse Industry Aid Bill Derailed--Again

Legislation to aid the horse industry in Kentucky may be dead after developments in the state capital March 17.

Political Cover Sought on Instant Racing?

Legislation authorizing Instant Racing at Kentucky racetracks is in line for major revisions that would place approval squarely in the lap of the governor or Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Instant Racing Called 'Competitive' Product

An executive with RaceTech, the company that produces Instant Racing machines, said the product has held up well against electronic games of skill at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.