LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Derby City Gaming Downtown is set to open in just two days and this $90 million dollar state of the art investment has so much to offer when it comes to entertainment, dining and sports wagering.
Historical racing machines are everywhere inside the two-story building, along with a Kentucky derby gift shop and a live entertainment stage in the First Turn Sports Bar offered every Friday and Saturday night.
Gov. Andy Beshear thanked Churchill Downs Incorporated for the investment.
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“This company has never forgotten where it’s from and has never forgotten where it calls home and this $90 million dollar investment certainly proves it,” said Beshear.
Sports betting machines are also inside the bar for guests who like simulcast wagering.
“Those here for conventions will leave us just a little bit more before they head out of town, we will continue to expand downtown bourbonism,” the governor said.
Derby City Gaming Downtown connects Kentucky’s two signature industries in a special way. Downstairs, folks can get food and beverage at the Trophy Bourbon & Cigar and Fascinator Wine Bar. Cigar smoke is piped out of the building and it can be smelled outside.
“The key to horse money is purse money and when that purse money gets paid it flows down to all the people that touch the industry,” William C. Carstanjen, chief executive officer at Churchill Downs Incorporated, said.
PHOTOS | A look inside the new Derby City Gaming Downtown
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The main goal for this investment? To bring foot traffic back downtown like pre-pandemic days.
“We just see this and the other products like this as a revitalization, you know, turning around those events,” Garth Williams said.
Williams is the general manager of Derby City Gaming Downtown. He comes to the downtown from the Poplar Level Road location.
This $90 million dollar project is creating 150 plus jobs.
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Mayor Craig Greenberg said this is another step towards revitalizing downtown.
“People can come after work to Derby City Gaming, they can come during the day on the weekends and of course people who come visit us here in Louisville will also have the opportunity to enjoy what’s going on there as well,” Greenberg said.
No matter where people live, Williams hopes to see several visitors stop by Derby City Gaming Downtown.
“Check us out before the concert, before dinner, come check us out,” he said.
The official grand opening for Derby City Gaming Downtown is Wednesday Dec. 6. That date is significant because it marks 150 days until Kentucky Derby 150.
The grand opening to the public is at 9 a.m.
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