In his support of the bill, Osborne drew comparisons to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation and the Public Service Commission. A Senate Committee Substitute was adopted to outline the corporation's formation and set forth a robust framework for its operations. Subsequently, the Senate committee approved SB 299 on Tuesday and with passage in the House was delivered to the Governor on Wednesday.

Currently, HRC oversees all aspects of horse racing in the state, including venues housing historic horse racing (HHR) machines. SB 299 seeks to create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation as an independent entity that regulates horse racing, sports wagering and charitable gaming in the commonwealth, effective July of this year.

“With the passage of SB 299, we're taking a crucial step in safeguarding the integrity and prosperity of our signature horse racing industry,” said Thayer. “As a cornerstone of Kentucky's heritage and economy, it's imperative that we uphold strong oversight and management of these vital industries. I contend the success of this industry demands it be a stand-alone entity capable of utilizing its funding without having to get authorizations from a bureaucratic agency. I am proud to sponsor this measure to promote this integral part of the commonwealth.”

Under SB 299, the existing racing commission members would transition to become the initial board of the newly formed corporation, serving two-year terms. Future board members would continue to be appointed by the governor but would require approval from the Kentucky Senate and oversight from the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.

Read SB 299 in its entirety here.

The post Bill to Establish Independent Kentucky Gaming Commission Passes House appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Senate Bill 299 was heard in a joint meeting of the Senate and House economic development committees Tuesday morning and won Senate approval in a 26-11 floor vote in the afternoon. The bill would create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation to replace the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Department of Charitable Gaming. The racing commission would be abolished in July 2024 and its employees and responsibilities would be transferred to the corporation, which would oversee live horse racing and sports wagering, as well as charitable gaming, after July 2025.

Board members of the corporation would be appointed by the governor and subject to Senate confirmation.

“I think this would bring increased scrutiny, integrity and transparency to all legal forms of gaming in Kentucky,” Kentucky Lantern quoted Thayer as saying in a committee meeting to discuss the bill.

Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas of Lexington led his party's opposition to the bill, which was introduced as a shell bill.

“The lack of transparency, the lack of sunshine, is something that should not be applauded,” he said.

Shell bills typically contain no substantive provisions and are introduced to ultimately be amended to include the actually intended legislative proposals.

In addition to the Democratic opposition, five Republicans also voted against the bill.

The post Bill Overhauling Kentucky Racing Commission Passes State Senate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“I have decided not to seek re-election to the state Senate in 2024,” Senator Thayer said. “The end of my current term next year will mark 22 years in the Senate and 12 as Majority Floor Leader. After conversations with my adult children, close friends and colleagues, I have concluded this is the right decision.”

Thayer is the longest-serving Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader in Kentucky history. The 17th Senate District, which includes Grant and Scott Counties and portions of Fayette and Kenton Counties, is within what has become known as Kentucky's Golden Triangle.

As a leading voice for Thoroughbred racing, Thayer has championed the passage of historical horse racing and last year successfully co-led the fight to dissolve penny breakage, which has already returned millions of dollars back to horseplayers.

The post Staunch Horse Racing Supporter Damon Thayer Will Not Seek State Re-election appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The mount fee schedule calls for a minimum fee of $125 at all Kentucky racetracks, including Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs and Turfway Park. This agreement also provides for $500 minimum fee in races with purses of $1 million or more.

“On behalf of our members who ride in Kentucky, I would like to thank the Kentucky HBPA and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association for working with the Guild to reach this agreement,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of Jockeys' Guild. “Special thanks to Senator Damon Thayer, for his assistance in reaching this agreement. Without his support, it would not have been accomplished.”

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's Rules Committee passed Oct. 4 a unanimous motion recommending this scale to the full commission for consideration and anticipated approval. Once approved, the proposed amendment to the administrative regulation will be filed with the Legislative Research Commission to follow the rule making process and allow for written and public comment. The agreements with the Kentucky HBPA and the KTA will remain in effect until the regulation has been formally adopted, which will likely be next year.

“I was pleased to advocate for a pay increase for the jockeys,” said Sen. Damon Thayer, Majority Leader of the Kentucky Senate. “Those who risk their lives every day at our tracks should be paid a fee commensurate with Kentucky's position of having the top purses in North America. In particular, I would like to thank trainer Dale Romans as a leader in the KHBPA, for facilitating in reaching the agreement and to Commissioner Charlie O'Connor for his role at the Commission in moving forward with the adoption of the new regulation.”

The post Mount Fee Increase For All Kentucky Racetracks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The key indicators to measure the success of a race meet were either up or maintained a lofty level at the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs, which came to a close Wednesday.

Purses paid out to horse owners were a record for the 12th straight year. Money wagered was another record, increasing 4.3%. Field sizes remained among the highest in the country with an average of 10.42 starters per race.

“Kentucky Downs' ownership led by Ron Winchell and Marc Falcone continually pushes us to present racing in a different way, to look for ways to innovate and improve,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' Vice President for Racing. “We put a premium on creating a memorable experience for our guests, horsemen and our sponsors. Horse owners put on the show. We want to show our recognition and appreciation for that with our hospitality.”

All-sources wagering on the meet totaled $83,640,261, up from $80,175,928 last year. A total of $25,065,000 was offered in purses for 76 races, including $10,523,750 in purse supplements from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. Of the 11 stakes offering $1 million or more in purses, 10 were won by Kentucky-breds.

Total purses paid out this meet is still being verified but is certain to top last year's $17,863,177 for 73 races. Seventy-two different ownership entities won races.

Damon Thayer, Kentucky's Senate Majority Floor Leader, has seen up close the transformation of Kentucky Downs.

“Yes, the financial success is there with the handle being up,” said Thayer, who attended five of the meet's seven days. “But it also has a cool vibe factor going for it. I also think the prestige of the meet is starting to get baked in across North America. It used to be kind of a quirky, novelty track, and there were some people who wouldn't run here. Now everybody is coming. All the jockeys are here, all the trainers, the big outfits. It exemplifies what's going right with Kentucky racing.”

The post Wagering Up 4.3% at Kentucky Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The Event Center is Simpson County's largest space for events and conventions, which is positioned as the area's newest location for weddings, parties, conferences, corporate meetings and live entertainment. The space can accommodate groups from 12 to 445 people.

“All the economic development you see here is exactly an example of that,” said co-managing partner of The Mint Gaming Hall Ron Winchell. “From our purchase of the property four years ago, we were committed to continuously improving and bringing more amenities to the area.”

Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer added, “It's not just Kentucky Derby week. It's year-round. We have the best year-round racing circuit in the country now, and Kentucky Downs is a big part of that.”

Still under construction is the Summerly Event Lawn, an outdoor, artificial-turf space that can accommodate up to 190 guests. Both the indoor and outdoor areas will be available during the Kentucky Downs meet which will be held Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 and 13.

The post The Mint Event Center Opened At Kentucky Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“After years of urging lawmakers to legalize sports betting, we finally did it!” Beshear tweeted Thursday evening. “Today's result shows that hard work pays off. Kentuckians will soon be able to place their bets here, and for the first time, we are going to keep those dollars to support our roads and bridges, schools and communities.”

According to a report in the Louisville Courier Journal, the Kentucky Speedway and the state's horse racing tracks could pay a fee to operate as sports betting facilities, with bets allowed on site as well as on licensed websites and phone apps. Wagers placed at tracks would have an excise tax of 9.75%and online wagers 14.25%.

Early Thursday, it appeared that HB 551 was going to be short of the 23 required votes, but according to the Courier Journal, the bill was placed on the orders of the day and was on the House floor half an hour later.

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) issued a statement applauding the passage of the bill, which reads, in part:

“KEEP and Kentucky's horse industry have been actively involved for the past several years in advocating for sports wagering legislation that protects the role of Kentucky's signature industry in the landscape of wagering options and provides new revenue for the state.

HB 551 accomplishes this by allowing for sports wagering to be offered in-person at Kentucky's racetracks. Additionally, sports wagering will be governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, a testament to the trust that wagerers place in Kentucky's horse industry.

Overall, this bill will benefit Kentucky's horse industry and community by offering new revenue sources for the industry, as well as attracting new fans to the sport through the in-person experiences at Kentucky racetracks.”

The post Sports Betting Legalized In Kentucky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Senators Damon Thayer and John Schickel sponsored the resolution, which was both introduced and passed on Wednesday.

The resolution describes itself as a means of “expressing concerns regarding the unintended consequences of the current funding methodology of HISA.”

A phone message left for Thayer on Thursday seeking details about what impact he believes the state resolution might have at the federal level did not yield a return call prior to deadline for this story.

The text of the resolution reads as follows:

“WHEREAS, the Senate recognizes the need for the safety and welfare of horses and jockeys, confidence in the fairness of competition, consistent oversight and regulation, and national uniformity and harmonization in the rules of the horse racing industry; and

“WHEREAS, the Senate believes that HISA, IF implemented properly, can achieve these objectives and enhance the reputation of horse racing in the United States; and

“WHEREAS, the Senate is aware that concerns have been raised by others regarding the unintended consequences that may arise from the current funding methodology, which does not provide uniform treatment to all states and may place undue economic pressure on horsemen and the racing industry in Kentucky; and

“WHEREAS, the Senate acknowledges that it is important to the prosperity of Kentucky horse racing that the safety of the human and equine athletes and the integrity of the sport be paramount;

“NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

“1. The Kentucky Senate urges the Federal Trade Commission and the HISA Authority to review the funding methodology of HISA and ensure that they provide uniform treatment to all states.

“2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission, the Board of Directors of the HISA Authority, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and Kentucky's Congressional delegation.”

The post Kentucky State Senate Resolution ‘Urges’ Federal HISA Funding Review appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following statement Tuesday.

“KEEP applauds the Kentucky General Assembly for the passage of HB 594, legislation that will ban illegal gray machines.

Getting this bill across the finish line was an incredible effort and KEEP is grateful to the legislators who supported the bill through the committee process and voted to pass the bill on the House and Senate floors.

KEEP would like to recognize the hard work of Representative Killian Timoney, who sponsored the bill. We would also like to recognize Speaker of the House David Osborne; House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade; Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer; House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee Chairman Matt Koch; and Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee Chairman John Schickel for their work on this bill. The successful passage of this bill would not have been possible without their critical support.

KEEP, along with many other organizations, worked closely with legislators to ensure that they understood the negative impact of illegal gray machines on families, communities, and on Kentucky's legal forms of gaming.

KEEP will continue working on behalf of Kentucky's entire horse industry and community to advocate for policies that benefit everyone within the industry's economic ecosystem. Growing the success of the industry's more than 60,000 jobs and $6.5 billion economic impact on the state benefits all Kentuckians.”

For more, click here for 'Gray Machines Pose Major Threat to Kentucky's HHR, Horse Racing' from the Feb. 22 edition.

The post Bill Banning Illegal Gray Machines Passes Senate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Many of the nearly 250 people attending the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club's (KTFMC) monthly meeting, held Tuesday evening at the Keeneland sales pavilion, were unfamiliar with the unregulated and untaxed gaming machines known as “gray machines.”

The risk these gray machines pose to historical horse racing (HHR) gaming and the state's horse racing industry as a whole were the main topic of the meeting that included a discussion and Q and A session of Central Kentucky legislators. In a panel moderated by the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP)'s executive director Will Glasscock, Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe (Republican, Lexington), Representative Matt Koch (Republican, Paris), Senator Damon Thayer (Republican, Georgetown) and Senator Reginald Thomas (Democrat, Lexington, minority caucus chair) shared their opposition toward the expansion of gray machines in Kentucky.

“We have not forgotten what the legislature did for us in 2021,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin recalled of the passing of SB 120, which continued the operation of HHR gaming, in her opening comments for the meeting. “We have to pay attention to what goes on in Frankfort. We can't just live in our own little world.”

The lawmakers on the panel introduced the growing issue of gray machines, which resemble slot machines but do not qualify as a legalized form of gaming in Kentucky as there is no oversight to their use. These machines, which are marketed as games of skill, are typically located in establishments such as gas stations, convenience stores and bars.

“They are illegal casino games,” explained Sen. Thayer, the Senate Majority Floor Leader. “The proprietors have a business model where they come into a state where there's a gray area in the law, they pay a lawyer to get a friendly opinion that says, 'Yeah, they're really legal.' And then they come in and try to get integrated in local communities.”

The meeting's legislators noted how there is currently no exact count of how many machines are in Kentucky because the machines are not required to be registered or tracked, but it is believed that there are already thousands in use and that their numbers are growing in every county across the Commonwealth.

Rep. Koch explained how the expansion of gray machines poses a major threat to the horse racing industry. While the majority of the revenue from these machines go to out-of-state gaming companies, revenue from HHR goes to support the state's signature industry: horse racing. He said that if gray machines remain, they could cripple the industry and decimate the jobs within it.

“It's going to end HHR. I don't think that's the type of gambling that Kentucky wants to see,” said Rep. Koch.

The panelists explained how these gray machines could also affect the communities they reside in, particularly when it comes to their impact on youth. Since the machines are unregulated, the lack of supervision creates the opportunity for minors to participate.

“You don't want to introduce [teenagers] to gaming at that age. That invites other sorts of bad actions. Keep them away from gaming and illegal activities, because one illegal activity begets another,” said Sen. Thomas.

Thayer said that other states are also working to confront the issues of gray machines. In Virginia, they have been the focus of 150 lawsuits, and in Pennsylvania, they were initially legalized but are now facing issues concerning a legal and regulatory gray area.

During the Q and A, attendees asked for further details regarding where gray machines come from and the entities behind them.

Legislators described how Pace-O-Matic and Prominent Technologies first brought the machines to Kentucky in 2021. The issue of their existence in the state was brought to the floor last year, where the legislature nearly outlawed them, but the House and Senate ultimately could not agree on the bill, so the effort fell short.

Representative Killian Timoney, the sponsor of last year's bill, was present at Tuesday's meeting and said that he will be filing similar legislation this week. Once submitted, it could take up to two to three weeks for a decision to be made as it moves through the legislative system.

The panel emphasized that now is the time for industry participants to reach out to their senators and representatives to help sway votes towards banning the use of gray machines in Kentucky.

“If you want to preserve this industry and see it continue to grow, you need to be ready to reach out,” said Rep. Thayer. “If it doesn't happen now, it will be harder next year as [gray machines] continue to expand like a bad virus.”

Glasscock shared details about the upcoming KEEP Day at the Capitol, set for this Thursday, Feb. 23, which provides members of Kentucky's equine industry and community an opportunity to share with legislators in Frankfort the importance of horses to their districts and to the state's economy. (Click here for more).

“We are on the ropes with this one,” said Rep. Timoney. “I don't know if you all can afford to not send someone to KEEP Day. The horse industry needs to be well-represented on Thursday. It's a signature industry and we need to protect it.

Koch further encouraged industry members to keep the conversation going with their representatives and senators–not only in their districts but across the entire state–concerning the importance of HHR, its impact on racing, breeding and sales and its overall significance to the state's economy.

“We need to spread a positive message of HHR. We're two years into this and it's doing great things for Kentucky. [We need to] reinforce to legislators not to strip that away.”

The post Gray Machines Pose Major Threat to Kentucky’s HHR, Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post