Officials welcome new gaming facility
Elected officials, the head of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and leaders from Churchill Downs welcomed the soft opening of the county's new gaming facility Monday afternoon, calling it an economic development engine and a benefit to the state's horse racing industry.
Officials gathered at the Owensboro Racing & Gaming stage Monday afternoon to praise the new gaming complex, before turning the facility over for an evening of gaming, with proceeds going to nonprofit groups.
The first bets were placed by Daviess County Commissioner Janie Marksberry and by Jon Rabinowitz, chairman of the Horse Racing Commission. The gaming center opens to the public on Wednesday.
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., said seeing the new facility was 'humbling.'
'I hope it becomes a jewel for your community, an integral part of your community and a real asset to all of you,' Carstanjen said.
The facility cost $100 million.
'That's the investment we wanted to make in this community, because we thought it was worth it and we thought it would pay off — not just for our company but more importantly for you,' Carstanjen said.
Regarding the horse racing industry, Carstanjen said, 'A portion of every wager that's made here goes back into the horse industry, back into the purses and the horses.'
Marksberry, who is the Eastern District commissioner for Fiscal Court, said, 'This has been a highly anticipated project for our community, and I'm so excited to finally see it come to fruition.'
The gaming center was initially planned for the former Towne Square Mall property, but Churchill Downs moved the project to Wrights Landing Road, outside city limits, after the Owensboro City Commission tabled a Churchill Downs request to allow smoking in part of the gaming complex in 2023.
'I know many folks are excited for this new level of entertainment, and I'm glad we were chosen,' Marksberry said.
The complex does have a smoking section that is separate from the nonsmoking area.
'This facility is a prime example of an economic development opportunity that are available to a community when government stands out of the way and does not hinder the private sector,' Marksberry said. 'I'm so glad the county and Daviess County Fiscal Court could accommodate the needs of this business and contribute to its success.'
Rep. Suzanne Miles, an Owensboro Republican and member of the House's GOP leadership team, said the county's location between Ellis Park in Henderson and Churchill Downs could help the facility.
'We're in a sweet spot, so to speak, between two horse racing tracks,' Miles said. 'The location right here puts us in a great opportunity for many people to travel throughout our area.
'Obviously, we're on the Bourbon Trail, too, so (there are) many opportunities' to visit the community, Miles said. 'It gives you more reasons to come here and be welcomed here.'
Sen. Gary Boswell, an Owensboro Republican, said, 'We're excited that we have 220-some new employees working here. Those are going to be very important jobs.'
'Owensboro Racing & Gaming will put Owensboro on the map as a world-class destination, to experience Kentucky's signature horse racing industry,' Boswell said.
Rabinowitz, chairman of the state Horse Racing Commission, said the horse racing and gaming industry generated $13.2 billion in wagering in 2024.
'The revenue generated ... is making a real difference in the Commonwealth,' Rabinowitz said. Revenue from the Owensboro facility will help fund things such as equine research to college scholarships, Rabinowitz said. Other dollars will go to other horse racing funds, to the state's general fund, and to support 'problem gaming initiatives,' he said.
Of the facility Rabinowitz said, 'This is a great day for Owensboro, a great day for Kentucky and a great day for the future of racing and gaming industry.'
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