Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has unveiled its sixth facility in Kentucky, which has been designed with a Kentucky Derby theme and houses 500 historical racing machines (HRMs).
This new CDI venue offers a unique blend of entertainment with three food and beverage amenities, ample parking space with 130 spots, and an impressive exterior 3D video board.
Notably, this project has had a significant impact on the local economy.
It generated around 400 construction jobs during its development phase and has now created over 150 permanent jobs at the venue.
Additionally, CDI emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion by allocating over $14.0 million of the investment to minority, women, and veteran-owned subcontracting services.
CDI’s CEO, Bill Carstanjen, expressed his pride in the project, highlighting its importance to both the Kentucky horse industry and the downtown Louisville area.
He emphasized that this venture would provide a much-needed entertainment facility, benefiting locals, bourbon tourists, convention attendees, and visitors alike.
Carstanjen emphasized that investing in downtown Louisville was not just a financial decision but an investment in the city’s spirit, culture, and future.
Kentucky’s governor, Andy Beshear, also lauded the project, emphasizing its alignment with the state’s rich racing heritage. He commended CDI’s dedication to continuous improvement and the betterment of Kentucky’s future.
This grand opening coincided with a pivotal moment in Kentucky’s gambling landscape, as the state recently legalized online sports betting.
The rollout began with retail wagering on September 7, followed by online betting on September 27.
Several prominent operators, including Bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Penn Sports Interactive, secured online licenses. Kambi received a service provider license, though it exclusively covers retail operations.
Retail licenses have also been granted to various racetracks and satellite facilities across the state, such as Churchill Downs and Derby City Gaming in Louisville, Ellis Park in Henderson, The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run in Corbin, and The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland in Williamsburg.
Additionally, licenses were awarded to three new facilities: Derby City Gaming in Louisville, Ellis Park in Owensboro, and Sandy’s Gaming and Racing in Ashland.
In summary, CDI’s latest Kentucky facility is poised to breathe new life into the downtown Louisville area, offering entertainment and job opportunities while complementing the state’s racing heritage.
This development coincides with Kentucky’s foray into legal online sports betting, further enriching the state’s gambling landscape.