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The Kentucky Derby was off to an excellent start this year as it managed to receive a record number of bets for the particular race, for the day, and for the week. According to sources, betting on the card for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was at $349 million - up by 9% from last year.

In spite of the rain and a slightly smaller crowd, Churchill Downs posted new handle records during the 151st Run for the Roses. Not even soggy weather could slow down the betting frenzy surrounding the 151st Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs Inc. reported record-breaking handle numbers across the board despite a rain-soaked day at the historic racetrack, as Sovereignty surged to victory in the famed Run for the Roses.

Derby Day handle soars to $349 million

All-sources wagering on the Derby Day card totaled an impressive $349 million - an increase of 9% from last year's $320.5 million. The betting total for the marquee race itself, featuring 19 horses this year, reached $234.4 million, an increase of 11% from the previous record of $210.7 million set during a 20-horse field in 2024.

These numbers defied expectations, especially as Churchill Downs officials had earlier indicated that results might remain flat year-over-year following last year's 150th milestone edition.

Derby week also sets records

The full Kentucky Derby week saw all-sources handle climb to $473.9 million, topping last year's record of $446.6 million by 6%. Combined wagering for the Kentucky Oaks and Derby days hit $422.9 million - an increase of 7% over 2024's $395.8 million. These figures also reinforce the Kentucky Derby's status as a premier sporting event not only in terms of attendance but also as a major betting attraction nationally and internationally.

Churchill Downs' online wagering platform, TwinSpires.com, saw its own impressive milestones. Total Derby Day wagers placed through the service reached $108 million - a 17% jump from last year's $92.1 million. For the Derby race alone, TwinSpires handled $73 million in bets, representing a staggering 20% increase over the previous record of $60.9 million in 2024.

The crowd during Derby Day was estimated at 147,406, down by 6% from 2024's 156,710. The wet conditions likely contributed to the decline, though Churchill Downs still drew one of the largest crowds in American horse racing. The all-time attendance record of 170,513 set in 2015 remains intact.

Churchill Downs anticipates strong financial performance

Despite the dip in attendance and some underperforming ticket segments, Churchill Downs expects Derby week adjusted EBITDA to be its second-best ever, falling between $2 million to $4 million shy of last year's record. In 2024, the company reported Derby week EBITDA growth of between a total of $26 million and $28 million.

In a previous investor call held April 24, CDI Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen acknowledged that certain lower-tier tickets, such as those for the newly launched Starting Gate Pavilion, sold below expectations.

We weren't able to go right to our long-term price target for that new area as we've done in past years, Carstanjen noted, emphasizing that the market for premium experiences wasn't as strong as it had been during the post-pandemic surge.

Looking ahead with optimism

Still, Carstanjen remains optimistic about future pricing and development strategy. "Part of our plan for the Derby has always been to introduce new areas and grow their value over time. This year might have taken a jolt, but we're confident in the long-term demand," he said.

The success of Sovereignty's win and the record-breaking wagering figures demonstrate that the Kentucky Derby remains an enduring spectacle, withstanding both market shifts and uncooperative weather. As the dust settles from the 151st edition, Churchill Downs sets its sights on 2026, aiming to grow what is already one of the most lucrative and celebrated events in American sports.

Just ahead of the schedule for the prestigious Kentucky Derby, Caesars Sportsbook has just announced that it has now added pari-mutuel horse race betting to its app in both Kentucky and Colorado. The Caesars Sportsbook app will begin offering sports betting with live streaming as well as single-account horse race betting.

In a major development for horse racing and sports betting enthusiasts, Caesars Entertainment has integrated pari-mutuel horse race wagering into its Caesars Sportsbook app, just in time for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. The integration, now live in Colorado and Kentucky, allows users to seamlessly switch between traditional sports betting and horse racing within a single platform - delivering a more streamlined and enriched experience for bettors.

This update blends Caesars' top-tier sportsbook with the robust horse racing functionality of Caesars Racebook, powered by NYRA Bets. The rollout offers customers in the two states a unified betting experience, complete with a shared wallet and live-streaming access to races from over 300 race tracks worldwide.

Seamless integration elevates user experience

The new functionality brings sports and horse racing wagering together under one digital roof, a move that Caesars calls a "significant milestone" in both digital gaming and the evolution of horse race betting. Customers in both Colorado and Kentucky can now enjoy a simplified experience that combines daily racing action with major sporting events, all while earning Caesars Rewards - the company's signature loyalty program.

"Integrating pari-mutuel horse racing into the Caesars Sportsbook app is a significant milestone for both our digital business and the sport of horse racing," stated Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Caesars Digital, Dan Shapiro. "Now, our product seamlessly puts the action directly in front of an expanded audience and reinforces Caesars' commitment to horse racing."

A boost for fan engagement and the sport of racing

The new shared wallet system allows users to fund both sports and horse race bets without switching apps or accounts. Through this innovation, Caesars is aiming to attract a broader audience and enhance engagement with the sport.

"Horse racing plays an important role in the betting marketplace, and we appreciate Caesars' longstanding commitment to elevating the sport and growing fan engagement," stated NYRA Bets President Tony Allevato. "Launching the shared wallet functionality allows Caesars Sportsbook to provide its large customer base with premier racing content through a comprehensive and easy-to-access wagering menu."

With this integration, users will also gain access to in-app statistics, handicapping data, and live streaming of races from top-tier tracks like Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, Saratoga, and Santa Anita, in addition to Caesars race tracks including Harrah's Hoosier Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis.

National reach and continued expansion plans

While the integration is currently available in Kentucky and Colorado, Caesars Racebook remains accessible as a standalone app in 20 other US states including New York, California, and Florida. Caesars also has long-term ambitions to expand the integrated functionality across more jurisdictions as regulatory approvals are secured.

This latest move cements Caesars' long-standing commitment to horse racing. The company is the presenting sponsor of the prestigious National Horseplayers Championship at Horseshoe Las Vegas and operates several race tracks across the country.

Access and availability

Individuals aged 21 and older in jurisdictions where sports betting is legal can download the Caesars Sportsbook app on iOS, Android, or access it via desktop. The app now offers one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly platforms for both sports and horse race betting in the US.

As the racing world gears up for the Kentucky Derby, Caesars' dual-wagering feature is poised to bring the thrill of the track and the sportsbook together like never before. This integration not only enhances the betting experience but also signals a promising future for horse racing in the digital era.

Simulcast greyhound racing has been on the decline for a number of years in the United States - and now, the state of Oregon is seeking to ban it as well. Even though greyhound racing is still popular in Oregon compared to other states in the US, a proposed House Bill, HB 3020, aims to make all forms of dog betting illegal in the state.

Despite its waning popularity across the United States, greyhound race betting continues to hold surprising sway in Oregon - a state that hasn't hosted a live dog race in over two decades. But that may soon change.

The ideal time for a change

Oregon lawmakers are advancing legislation to fully outlaw betting on greyhound races, joining a growing national movement against the controversial sport. House Bill 3020, which has already passed the state House, moved through the Senate Labor and Business Committee with unanimous support on April 17. If enacted, the bill would prohibit all forms of dog race betting in the state, including simulcast wagers placed on races held elsewhere.

"The governor asked me to do anything I can to stop taking greyhound wagers," said Connie Winn, the Oregon Racing Commission director, during a recent committee hearing. "And that's why we have this bill."

Although live greyhound racing has all but vanished from the American sports landscape - illegal in 44 US states and active in only one, West Virginia - betting on the sport remains legal in 16 states through simulcast systems. These allow gamblers to wager on races taking place in other jurisdictions, often abroad in countries like England, Australia, and Ireland.

But that number is shrinking. Arkansas, New Hampshire, and Arizona are set to implement simulcast betting bans in the coming years, and now Oregon may be next.

A central player in a fading industry

Even without live racing, Oregon remains a crucial hub for the greyhound betting industry. Along with North Dakota, it hosts one of the country's two main Advance Deposit Wagering systems - platforms that facilitate remote betting on horse and dog races. In 2023 alone, GREY2K USA, a leading anti-greyhound racing advocacy, estimated that $144 million was wagered on greyhound racing through these hubs.

Eight ADW companies currently operate in Oregon, two of which - Twin Spires and AmWest - handle simulcast dog race betting. According to the ORC, such wagers accounted for 4.6% of AmWest's and 1.78% of Twin Spires' total 2023 betting activity.

Among Oregonian bettors, dog racing maintains a niche appeal. In 2023, 17.9% of wagers posted online and 22.4% of off-track betting wagers in the state were placed on greyhound races. Winn noted that at some OTB facilities, greyhound wagers make up nearly 40% of total activity.

"People in Oregon love to wager on greyhounds. They absolutely love it," said Winn. "Out of every state in the United States, we're number three for the amount of people that wager on greyhound racing. I don't know why. It just is."

Balancing morality and money

Supporters of the bill argue that animal welfare concerns outweigh financial considerations. Executive director of GREY2K USA, Carey Theil, testified that greyhound racing is 'cruel and inhumane,' citing a recent ORC report documenting over 10,000 injuries at racetracks used by Oregon bettors. Theil dismissed concerns over financial losses, calling greyhound betting "a dying industry." He noted a 15.5% year-over-year decline in greyhound wagering at Oregon's OTB parlors from 2023 to 2024.

However, the legislation does come with a cost. The ORC estimates a loss of $200,000 in licensing fees and potentially $2.3 million in ADW revenue every two years if affected betting systems leave the state. That would reduce general fund revenue by approximately $450,000 per biennium.

Still, lawmakers are committed to mitigating the impact. Two companion bills aim to fill the financial gap, and Representative David Gomberg pledged during testimony, "We are going to make sure [the ORC is] held whole and harmless during this transaction." The bill's effective date is set for January 1, 2027, giving the state time to manage the economic adjustment.

Industry pushback

Not everyone agrees with the legislation. Board director of the National Greyhound Association Leslie Csokasy challenged the cruelty claims in written testimony, arguing that greyhound racing has a 99.5% incident-free rate. She warned that eliminating simulcast betting would hurt small businesses that depend on the revenue. "Finding alternative sources of income is not a simple or immediate solution," Csokasy wrote.

Still, momentum is building. For many lawmakers and advocates, the issue is clear: phasing out greyhound betting is a step toward aligning Oregon's policies with evolving public values on animal welfare. "This is a good bill to help dogs," said Theil.