Ellis Park is about to become the second horse track in Kentucky to offer instant racing. The Henderson track has installed 187 instant racing terminals. Track officials declined to comment ahead of a press conference scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Ellis Park owner Ron Geary previously said he hoped to launch instant racing by Labor Day when the track’s live racing season concludes. Instant Racing opens to the public Friday morning even as the legality of the games is still being decided in the courts.
Instant racing allows players to bet on previously run horse races at terminals resembling slot machines. Kentucky Downs in Franklin was the first track to implement the so-called historical racing last September. Opponents argue instant racing is not pari-mutuel wagering, as allowed under Kentucky's constitution.
