Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation meets for first time.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation met on Monday for the first time under its new status as a state corporation, rather than a department under the aegis of the state’s Public Protection Cabinet.

The corporation was required to meet on Monday to officially approve memorandums of an agreement that will allow it to continue to transition from its former iteration into its new structure. The Kentucky legislature passed a bill in March formulating the new structure, with a July 1 start date.

Jonathan Rabinowitz, the chairman of the new corporation, said at the meeting that the memorandums will provide a “three-month window, and likely more if we need it, as we become independent” from the Public Protection Cabinet, which is administered by the executive branch. The memorandums allow the KHRGC to work with the Public Protection Cabinet on services related to human resources, information technology, and fiscal planning.

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The legislation establishing the corporation set up a structure akin to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation, with a board of directors and staff. Jamie Eads, the former executive director of the commission, will serve for a minimum of two years as the corporation’s new president.

The corporation will oversee horse racing, historical horse racing, sports betting, and charitable gambling. Board members will continue to be appointed by the governor, but those appointments will now need approval from the state Senate.

The new corporation has a number of unfilled staff positions, including that of general counsel. Jennifer Wolsing, who had served as general counsel for the KHRC the past five years, is remaining at the Public Protection Cabinet, and Travers Manley is currently serving as interim general counsel.

“These last few months . . . have been a heavy lift,” said Rabinowitz, during the meeting. “You don’t just flip the switch on day one. We’re going to spend some time and be thoughtful about who we bring in.”

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