Instant Racing

Steve Beshear: Casino Bill is Dead for 2013, Unsure if Instant Racing Will Be Used to Fund Pensions

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:00:54 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear says he's a fan of Instant Racing for Kentucky's horse racing tracks—but he's not sure if legalizing the gambling format would be used to fund the state's struggling pension system.

Meanwhile, Beshear said casino gambling is not happening this year.

House Democratic leaders says they are looking at legalizing the slots-like game statewide to help generate at least $25 million a year to help fully fund pension obligations. Only two tracks, Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs, currently have the game.

House Leaders Considering Instant Racing Legalization to Help Pay for Pensions

Kenny Colston — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:14:06 +0000

Kentucky House leaders are considering legalizing Instant Racing across Kentucky to help plug the funding gap in the state's pensions.

NY Horse Track Looks to Invest in Ellis Park

Angela Hatton — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:13:07 +0000

A New York-based horse racing park wants to invest in Henderson’s Ellis Park. Horse racing industry magazine Blood-Horse reports Saratoga Raceway and Casino, of Saratoga Springs, has filed an investment request with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Investment details haven’t been released.

the morning cram [what's the deal with airplane peanuts? edition]

Gary Pitts — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:54:21 +0000

From NPR: Jerry Seinfeld's new series is called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and the promos promise exactly that.

Afternoon Round-Up 6/15/12

Rose Krzton-Presson — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:48:18 +0000

Today on NPR: It turns out he's not a 17-year-old boy who was living in the woods with his father until dad died — the story he told German police. He's a 20-year-old Dutch man with personal problems.

Regional Headlines:

Joppa Illinois' coal-fired power plant will shed nearly four dozen jobs in the next two months.

Afternoon Round-Up 4/25/12

Drew Adams — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:26:35 +0000

Today on NPR: The Supreme Court heard initial arguments on Arizona's immigration law and it seems like the Copper state is safe.

Jackson Purchase:

Elderly and Disabled Hopkins County residents can now opt out of firefighter dues permanently instead of notifying the county each year.

Court of Appeals Has Six Months To Rule on Legality of Instant Racing

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:30:41 +0000

A decision is expected within six weeks over whether Instant Racing is legal in Kentucky. The state’s Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case today.

Instant Racing is a slots-like game that Kentucky racetracks hope to use to boost race purses. But the Family Foundation of Kentucky says the game isn’t pari-mutuel betting like horse racing, but instead is closer to a slot machine.

Foundation executive director Kent Ostrander says based on questions from the appeals judge, he believes the case will go back to square one.