Austin Miller has been promoted to senior vice president of gaming operations, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Aug. 8.
Miller, who currently serves as president of Calder Casino & Race Course in Miami, Fl., will assume his new duties starting Aug. 12. He will report directly to CDI's president and chief operating officer, Bill Carstanjen.
"Austin has been a big part of our team from the very beginning of CDI's entry into brick and mortar casino gaming and his knowledge, expertise, and leadership will be vital as our company continues to grow," Carstanjen said.
In his new role, Miller will have responsibility for CDI's six gaming properties including Calder, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Harlow's Casino Resort and Spa, Riverwalk Casino Hotel, Oxford Casino, and CDI's joint venture, Miami Valley Gaming. Miller will join the board of managers for Miami Valley Gaming and assist in CDI's future casino development initiatives.
Miller joined CDI in May 2007 as vice president and general manager of CDI's Fair Grounds property where he led the construction and opening of the slots facility. In October 2008 he was promoted to president of Fair Grounds, where he oversaw the overall operation and success of the racing and gaming operations and 11 OTB parlors. He left Fair Grounds in June 2010 to become president of Calder.
Born in Baltimore, Md., Miller came to CDI after two years as vice president of gaming operations at Harrah's New Orleans and 13 years with Grand Casinos, ultimately serving as the gaming company's senior vice president of operations for Grand Casino Gulfport, a position he held until moving to Harrah's New Orleans in June 2005.
Miller will remain in Miami at Calder until the end of the year to assist with the selection and transition of a new leader for Calder. Thereafter, he will then be based in Louisville, Ky.
Holding a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, Miller currently serves on the boards of the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation and the Memorial Foundation, serving the Memorial Healthcare System.