Churchill Down Incorporated (CDI) is celebrating after holding the grand opening of its $65m “state-of-the-art” historical racing machine facility, Derby City Gaming.

The 85,000 square foot property, located in Louisville, Kentucky, welcomed a number of state and local officials, plus members of the horse racing community, to join its team as CDI officially opened the entertainment facility to the public.

Derby City Gaming boasts 900 historical racing machines (HRMs), raised from 600 after Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) approval in July, and has been designed in partnership with Ainsworth Technology, who also gained the KHRC green-light two months ago.

The décor of the facility pays homage to Churchill Downs Racetracks deep history in horse racing, with references to Oaks and Derby throughout the property, including pictures in the main entrance of the 144th Oaks and Derby winners, and the opportunity to view the 145th Derby trophy.

Furthermore, the property also features two quick-service walk-up food venues, a center bar with large format televisions, and seating for over 60 guests to take in all the best sporting action all year round.

It is hoped that through the HRMs installation, Derby City Gaming will provide an estimated $15m to $20m in additional purse contributions to one of Kentucky’s signature industries, with CDI stating that “creating larger purses will boost thoroughbred sales and breeding operations throughout the Commonwealth”.

Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack, explained: “We’re excited to celebrate the grand opening of Derby City Gaming. Not only has this facility created hundreds of jobs and spurred tens of millions of dollars in economic development in our hometown of Louisville, but HRMs will provide desperately needed revenue to Kentucky purses and will help shore up the racing circuit.”

Churchill Downs, who has called Louisville home for over a century, is to create approximately 200 full and part-time jobs to operate and manage it’s new entity.