Kentucky historical racing machine handle falls 43 percent in March

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Total handle on historical horse racing machines operated by a number of Kentucky racetracks plummeted 43 percent in March due to the closures of their casinos in mid-March, according to figures from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Total wagering through nearly 3,000 machines at locations at Kentucky Downs, The Red Mile, Ellis Park, and the Trackside training center in Louisville was $132.4 million this March, compared to $234.0 million in March of last year. All of the locations closed Sunday, March 15, due to efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Historical horse racing machines, which are similar to slot machines, generate money for purses at tracks distributed throughout the state, as well as tens of millions of dollars annually for their operators. Revenue from handle in March going to the state’s Thoroughbred Development Fund dropped 43.8 percent in March, from $1.63 million last year to $915,000 this year, according to the figures. The revenues from the machines have accounted for significant growth in purse distributions in the state over the last two years.

The location at Kentucky Downs, in Franklin near the border with Tennessee, was hardest hit, with handle dropping 51.2 percent, to $47.8 million. Handle at the Derby City facility owned by Churchill Downs at its Trackside training track dropped 38.9 percent to $56.6 million, while handle at The Red Mile, operated by that track in partnership with Keeneland, dropped 38.8 percent to $20.7 million. Handle at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., dropped 23.3 percent to $7.3 million.