The Kentucky horse racing industry is considered by many the Horse Racing Capital of the World. But the horse tracks are loosing out to states that are able to offer other forms of gambling besides the horse-races. Kentucky, Churchill Downs, Turfway and Keeneland are the three largest tracks and have all experienced a downturn in the gambling numbers.

Churchill says that until 10th May gambling was 20% less than expected, causing Churchill to remove seven days from its racing schedule and Ellis Park considering not opening at all next year. As a result of the bad revenues, the Kentucky Equine Project has launched a multi-media campaign to inform residents of the problems, and gain support for legislation to allow slotmachine gambling at the race-tracks. With over 250,000 flyers distributed to residents of Kentucky and a series of radio adverts, a massive push to casino gambling and online gambling legislation is being given. Not everyone is happy with the legislation. The Say No to Casinos campaign hinted that rather than spending money on a radio campaign, the money should go straight to Churchill Downs instead. Martion Cothran, spokesperson for the Say No to Casinos campaign is of opinion, that given the current economic crisis, lawmakers need to help those who are struggling to make ends meet. “We have Kentuckians who are losing their jobs, who are being layed off by their employers, and who can’t pay their mortgages,” Cothran said.