Kentucky casino subsidies remain steady despite virus

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Gambling devices at Kentucky casinos that provide rich subsidies for racing generated nearly as much handle in June of this year as the same month of last year despite being opened for fewer days and operating at reduced capacity, according to figures tracked by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Total handle on the devices, known as historical horse racing machines, was $209.3 million in June, according to the figures, compared to $217.8 million last year. The casinos all reopened during the second week of the month, with limitations on capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after being closed since mid-March.

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The total amount generated for the Thoroughbred Development Fund in the month was $1.46 million, compared to $1.51 million in June of last year. The money is used to provide purse bonuses for horses eligible for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, and the subsidies have pushed purses in the state of Kentucky to record highs over the past several years.

The machines also generated $14.6 million for their operators in the month, compared to $15.0 million in June of last year. The total number of machines that were operating in the month was 1,614, down from 2,734 last year, due to the virus-related operating restrictions.

Every racetrack owner in the state operates at least one of the facilities, either alone or in partnership, and new casinos at Turfway Park and at a new harness track in the southwest of Kentucky are scheduled to open in the future.