FRANKLIN, Ky. (July 21, 2020)—Kentucky Downs is betting big with the opening of a new 30,000 square-foot historical horse racing (HHR) gaming hall in early September—just in time for its famous live horse racing meet.
The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs will add more than 600 all-new historical horse racing terminals and other amenities that will include a new multi-media Center Bar with an adjacent entertainment stage and a new high-limit betting area. Guests can also join the brand-new Mint Rewards loyalty program that will offer players more benefits, bonuses and recognition, including complimentary food and beverage and tickets to partner events.
There is no legal casino gambling in Kentucky and that means, no legal gambling age has been defined. However, as residents can travel across state to gamble it is worthwhile to know the legal ages there. Indiana, Ohio and Illinois all have a minimum age of 21 for gambling in the casino. Belterra Casino is located in Lexington. Customers have good opinions about Belterra Casino. Need to give Belterra Casino a call?
The addition of The Mint Gaming Hall is the first of a multi-phase expansion and growth plan that began last year under Kentucky Downs' new ownership. Kentucky Downs was sold in March 2019 to a new partnership headed by prominent horseman and entrepreneur Ron Winchell and well-known gaming and investment-banking executive Marc Falcone. Upon completion of the entire project in early 2021, Kentucky Downs will offer a total of approximately 1,100 HHR games in the 110,000 square-foot facility that will include several new restaurant and dining options and other additional amenities.
- What Forms Of Gambling Are Currently Legal? Casino Games: No, there are no regulated casinos or tribal ones in Kentucky. The best you can hope for here is a charitable ‘casino night' with minimal prizes for a good cause. Many Kentucky residents cross the border into neighboring Ohio or Indiana to enjoy their tribal and riverboat casinos.
- Operated by: Saratoga Casino & Hospitality Group Located in Henderson, Kentucky, just south of Evansville, Indiana, Ellis Park is a thoroughbred racetrack. The sale of the historic race track from from majority owner Ron Geary to Saratoga Casino &.
'We are looking forward to being bigger and better than ever in September, while remaining focused on current safety protocols for the safety and health of our guests and team,' said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' senior vice president and general manager. 'We are always seeking ways to enhance the guest experience and can't wait to provide more food and beverage offerings, more live music and more entertainment.'
The multi-phase expansion is expected to add more than 75 new jobs with positions in food and beverage, housekeeping, security, gaming technology and marketing. In 2019, Kentucky Downs provided more than $20 million in state/local taxes, wages and benefits and charitable contributions to local Kentucky and Tennessee communities.
'Our growth continues to solidify Kentucky Downs' role as an economic engine for the Franklin-Simpson area and beyond as both an attraction and an employer,' Nicholson said.
Today, Kentucky Downs conducts its live turf-racing meet in September on the only 'European-style' racecourse in America and is currently home to historical horse racing machines, charity bingo and year-round simulcasting events.
The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs is just 30 minutes north of Nashville on Interstate 65 in Franklin, Kentucky. The facility is a year-round entertainment destination offering exciting historical horse racing gaming action, simulcast and live racing, dining, drinks and more. Kentucky Downs' September live horse racing meet pays out the highest average-daily purses in North America. The introduction and growth of HHR gaming has allowed Kentucky Downs to be one of the highest generators of purse money for the entire state of Kentucky. Learn more at www.themintgaming.com.
Last updated Dec. 14.
The uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 has made it very difficult for the US casino industry to function in most states. Across the country, casinos are limiting the number of customers on their floors or are closing their doors to casual and experts bettors in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Casinos were particularly hard hit in the spring, when most were forced to shutter. On March 19, the American Gaming Associationissued a release on the crisis. AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said:
With a spike of coronavirus cases in the fall of 2020, casinos are once again being forced to shut down in many states. Most casinos remain open in some respect, but that will likely change.
Though many gamblers will turn to horse betting, online casinos and online poker, our staff at PlayUSA wants to keep you up to date with a list of casino properties that have suspended operations in the wake of this global pandemic.
Alabama casinos
Wind Creek casinos in the state are open with some restrictions.
Arizona casinos
Most Arizona casinos are open subject to general COVID restrictions in the state. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is currently closed, and Casino del Sol closed for the rest of 2020 starting on Dec. 7.
Arkansas casinos
Arkansas casinos are open, with some restrictions.
Latest report on Arkansas casinos here.
California casinos
California is currently under a stay-at-home order and capacity restrictions in most regions. However, most California tribal casinos are currently open with a variety of restrictions that don't always line up with state guidelines. More on that here.
Card rooms closed on Nov. 30 for three weeks
Colorado casinos
Casinos in Colorado mostly remain open, but some such as Ute Mountain Casino Hotel have opted to close temporarily. Table games are shut down in some other casinos. More on that at PlayColorado.
Connecticut casinos
The state's two casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort, are both open with restrictions. As of the week of Dec. 1, Foxwoods announced even further restrictions and temporary closing of some hotel areas.
Latest report on casinos in Connecticut here.
Delaware casinos
The three Delaware casinos are currently open with some restrictions
- Delaware Park
- Dover Downs
- Harrington Casino and Raceway
Florida casinos
All of Florida's casinos are currently open with varying restrictions.
Idaho casinos
Most Idaho casinos remain open.
Illinois casinos
All casinos in Illinois are closed as of Nov. 20 under an order from Gov. JB Pritzker. Visit PlayIllinois for more updates.
Indiana casinos
Indiana casinos mostly remain open, with some restrictions. Visit PlayIndiana for more updates.
Iowa casinos
All Iowa casinos are currently open, but with restrictions.
More on casinos in Iowa here.
Kansas casinos
Kansas casinos remain open for now.
Kentucky racing
There are no casinos in Kentucky.
Louisiana casinos
Most Louisiana casinos remain open, but at limited capacity.
More information here on casinos in Louisiana.
Maine casinos
Maine casinos are open but must close earlier than usual. More on casinos in Maine here.
Maryland casinos
Maryland casinos are open, with restrictions. However, infections in Maryland via casinos have drawn some scrutiny.
Massachusetts casinos
Massachusetts' three casinos — Plainridge Park, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor — are all open, with restrictions. More from PlayMA here.
Michigan casinos
Michigan's three commercial casinos are currently closed:
- MGM Grand
- Greektown Casino
- MotorCity Casino
Some tribal casinos have also closed their doors for now.
Minnesota casinos
Native American tribes with casinos remain open for now, with restrictions. More here.
Mississippi casinos
All 26 of the state's casinos remain open.
Missouri casinos
Missouri casinos are all open, with varying restrictions.
Montana casinos
Some of Montana's tribal casinos are closed. There are restrictions that limit capacity in casinos in the state.
Nevada casinos
Casinos in the state and in Las Vegas remain largely open, but at reduced capacity. These include Palazzo, for example, where rooms are closed seven days a week but the casino floor remains open. More from PlayNevadahere and more on Las Vegas specifically can be found here.
New Hampshire casinos
There is no word yet on when casinos in New Hampshire will reopen.
New Jersey casinos
Atlantic City casinos continue to stay open, with restrictions. Of course, online casinos in New Jersey, are still running.
New Mexico casinos
Worsening conditions in New Mexico have led to almost all casinos being closed. More here.
New York casinos
All New York casinos, both commercial and tribal, remain open for now.
North Carolina casinos
The only two casinos in North Carolina, Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino are currently open.
North Dakota casinos
Tribal casinos are generally open in North Dakota, although it is on a case by case basis.
Ohio casinos
Ohio casinos remain open, but are subject to a curfew.
Oklahoma casinos
Almost all Oklahoma casinos are currently open.
Oregon casinos
Most tribal casinos in Oregon remain open, with restrictions. Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City is one that has closed temporarily.
Pennsylvania casinos
Casino Gambling In Indiana
PA casinos are temporarily closed for a three-week pause that began Dec. 12. Updates From PlayPennsylvania here.
Rhode Island casinos
The two Rhode Island casinos, Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Tiverton, closed for two weeks starting Nov. 30.
South Dakota casinos
Many South Dakota casinos have closed because of worsening COVID cases in the state, but a few remain open.
Texas casinos
Casinos In Kentucky
Texas casinos are currently open.
Washington casinos
The state's tribal casinos all remain open with restrictions.
West Virginia casinos
All five of West Virginia's casinos remain open, with restrictions.
Wisconsin casinos
Tribal casinos are open or closed on a case by case basis. More here.
Wyoming casinos
Is There Casino Gambling In Kentucky
Wyoming casinos are currently closed.
