A $38.4 million Churchill Downs-owned gaming facility is set to open in Newport on Oct. 2.
Called Newport Racing & Gaming, the venue will feature a historical racing machine gaming floor, bar and horse racing simulcast area.
Historical racing machines, or HRM’s, use the outcomes of past horse races to provide an experience like slot machines.
The $38.4 million development project is located in the Newport Shopping Center off Interstate 471, exit 3, in Newport. It will provide 70 full time-equivalent jobs, the company said.
It will be operated by Louisville-based Churchill Downs Inc., owner of the legendary racetrack in that city. The Newport venue is an extension of the racing license associated with Turfway Park in Florence.
Churchill purchased Turfway Park in Florence last year and has been seeking additional space in Northern Kentucky for a second gaming facility.
Construction on the Newport property began in May of this year and includes the renovation of the existing building’s exterior façade and the demolition and build-out of approximately 47,000 square feet of interior space into a contemporary entertainment center.
Guests will be able to play 500 Vegas-style themed games. The venue will also feature a pari-mutuel wagering simulcast area where guests can watch and wager on live horse racing.
The company said the facility will open and operate under capacity restrictions that comply with state and local requirements as well as follow all Center for Disease Control recommendations, including initiatives to facilitate social distancing, personal protection, and enhanced cleaning.
Newport will operate Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and open Fridays at 10 a.m. through Sundays at 2 a.m.
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