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Legality of Instant Racing Considered in Frankfort

A Kentucky Court of Appeals panel Wednesday afternoon is hearing arguments on the legality of the slot machine-like Instant Racing game being used at Kentucky Downs in Franklin and approved for Ellis Park in Henderson. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission last year approved Instant Racing, a game that lets gamblers place bets on old horse races using a machine similar to a slot machine.

A Kentucky Circuit Court judge later decided Instant Racing is a legal type of pari-mutuel wagering, and the games were adopted at Kentucky Downs in Simpson County.

The Family Foundation of Kentucky, a socially conservative group, appealed that ruling to the Court of Appeals.

Supporters of Instant Racing say it will bring much needed revenue to Kentucky's horse racing operations.