When legalized sports gambling was proposed in Kentucky, one of the fears was that allowing people to wager on other sports would hurt the thoroughbred industry vital to the state’s economy.
To alleviate some of those fears, Kentucky law required sportsbooks to partner with thoroughbred and harness racing tracks around the state. The partnership would provide a source of revenue for the racing industry, along with the historical horse racing gaming halls at different tracks.
So one year into legalized sports gambling, has it hurt racing?
“No,” Steve Bittenbender, who covers the industry for betkentucky.com, said in September. “Kentucky Downs is more of a boutique meet, but it just had a banner meet that ended earlier this month.”
