As the second leg of the initial series approaches, NYRA’s Turf Trinity has proven to be an effective lure for horsemen eager to take home part of the combined $3 million up for grabs for 3-year-olds in the three turf stakes.
Monthly Archives: August 2019
Jockey Legends Day Set for Aug. 4 at Saratoga
The New York Racing Association Inc. will welcome a dozen of the sport’s top jockeys back to Saratoga Race Course for the sixth annual Jockey Legends Day, presented by Fasig-Tipton, Sunday, August 4.
Churchill to Add Hotel, Historical Gaming at Track
A hotel will be added at Churchill Downs as part of a large capital improvement project at the Louisville, Ky., track that also will include the addition of historical gaming.
Neptune's Storm Rolls Into La Jolla Handicap
With victories in his past four two-turn turf starts, including back-to-back stakes this spring at Santa Anita Park, Neptune’s Storm brings plenty of momentum into his graded stakes debut in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (G3T) Aug. 4 at Del Mar.
A Weekend to Remember and Celebrate 'Marylou'
Tears will give away to cheers of appreciation as Marylou Whitney will be celebrated for a lifetime in which she touched the lives of a multitude of people in an unforgettable manner.

Mississippi Lottery officials anticipate rush of sales from West Alabama
People living in West Alabama will soon be able to test their luck in the lottery. Scratch-off ticket sales were set to begin December 1st, 2019 in Mississippi.Starting a Lottery, Alabama, Mississippi, Sales

Powerball promotion set to draw 2020's first millionaire
One lucky person will get to start 2020 with $1 million in their pocket — and Jessie James Decker will announce the winner.Powerball, Event, Promotion, Holiday, Announcement, Multi-State Game
Japan's Deirdre Outruns History in Nassau Stakes
A moment of horse racing history was made Aug. 1 on the sunny South Downs as Deirdre, the first Japan-based runner at Glorious Goodwood, landed the Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1).
Roaring Lion Recovering After Second Colic Surgery
Roaring Lion’s fight from colic has taken a turn for the worse with news he underwent a second surgery at Cambridge Equine Veterinary Hospital in New Zealand the morning of Aug. 1.

Penn National Gaming Announces Strategic Partnerships With Leading Sports Book Operators

Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN: Nasdaq) (“Penn National” or the “Company”) announced today that it has entered into multi-year agreements with leading sports betting operators DraftKings, PointsBet, theScore and The Stars Group for online sports betting and iGaming market access across the Company’s portfolio. Penn Interactive Ventures, LLC (“PIV”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, will manage the relationships, in addition to operating the Company’s primary sports betting and iGaming initiatives through a new partnership with leading service provider Kambi.
According to Jon Kaplowitz, Penn National’s Sr. Vice President of Interactive Gaming: “We’re pleased to be providing the top names in sports betting, iGaming and poker access to our Company’s non-primary licenses to conduct these operations in exchange for a combination of upfront cash and equity, one-time market access fees and ongoing revenue sharing.”
Under the terms of the agreements, each “skin” partner will have the option to own, operate, and brand real-money online sports betting, poker, and casino offerings in each of the states outlined below, pursuant to a first, second or third skin, as applicable, and subject to license availability, state law, and regulatory approvals.
- DraftKings:
- States Covered: Florida (1st skin), Indiana (3rd skin), Missouri (1st skin), Ohio (1st skin), Pennsylvania (1st skin), Texas (1st skin) and West Virginia (2nd skin)
- Term of agreement: 10 years, subject to a ten year extension
- Key economic terms: Revenue share to Penn National based on net gaming revenue
- PointsBet:
- States Covered: Indiana (2nd Skin), Louisiana (1st Skin), Missouri (1st Skin), Ohio (1st Skin) and West Virginia (3rdSkin)
- Term of agreement: 20 years
- Key economic terms: Revenue share to Penn National based on net gaming revenue
- Equity Position: PIV will take a strategic equity stake of 5.28% in PointsBet, with an additional $2.5 million access fee for Ohio, based on certain conditions, payable in cash or equity at Penn National’s option. In addition, PIV will receive 10,372,549 options, exercisable for two years, to acquire additional shares of PointsBet
- theScore:
- States Covered: Indiana (2nd skin), Iowa (2nd skin), Kansas (3rd skin), Louisiana (1st skin), Maine (3rd skin), Massachusetts (3rd skin), Michigan (3rd skin), Mississippi (1st skin), Missouri (2nd skin), Ohio (2nd skin) and Texas (2nd skin)
- Term of agreement: 20 years
- Key economic terms: Revenue share to Penn National based on net gaming revenue
- Equity Position: PIV will take a strategic equity stake of 4.7% in theScore, with the potential for this stake to increase as additional market access fees become payable.
- The Stars Group:
- States Covered: Illinois (1st skin), Indiana (1st skin), Kansas (2nd skin), New Mexico (2nd Skin), Maine (2nd skin), Massachusetts (2nd Skin), Michigan (2nd Skin), Ohio (1st Skin) and Texas (1st Skin)
- Term of agreement: 20 years
- Key economic terms: Upfront payment of $12.5 million payable cash, with an additional access fee of $5 million in cash for Texas based on certain conditions; revenue share to Penn National based on net gaming revenue, with a one-time bonus based on net gaming revenue in 2023
“Sports betting represents an exciting new growth opportunity for Penn National,” said Mr. Kaplowitz. “Our skin agreements announced today will help fund the cost of launching and maintaining our primary sports betting and iGaming operations, both by way of the upfront consideration and the long term revenue sharing arrangements, which are consistent with industry standards and subject to minimum guarantees.
“By controlling our front-end product and relying upon our new partnership with Kambi for managed-trading services, we can create a lasting and differentiated online and retail product experience for our customers,” continued Mr. Kaplowitz. “When coupled with our industry leading regional casino footprint and database of over five million active customers, the Company is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the rapidly expanding sports betting and iGaming markets in a way that maximizes value to our shareholders. This strategy is exemplified in our recent iGaming launch in Pennsylvania, where we were the first iGaming operator to take wagers in the state. Additionally, we will be launching our first in-house retail sportsbooks at our Iowa and Indiana properties in the coming weeks,” concluded Mr. Kaplowitz.
Kentucky Downs Announces Additions to Team
Rick Hammerle, among horse racing’s most respected officials; popular New England sportscaster and former NBC racing analyst Bob Neumeier, and jockey Aaron Gryder are joining the Kentucky Downs team for America’s most unique race meet.
Tonko Expects Fall Hearing on Horseracing Integrity Act
Representative Paul Tonko, a New York Democrat, said Aug. 1 that he expects a subcommittee hearing on the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019 this fall.
Hawthorne to Cancel Spring 2020 Meet to Build Casino
Hawthorne Race Course will not conduct live Thoroughbred racing in the spring of 2020 while it builds out casino and sports-betting facilities, leaving a nearly four-month gap in the Chicago-area schedule.
Last-Minute Deal Keeps MA Simulcasting, Racing Legal
After burning the midnight oil to a few minutes past deadline, Massachusetts lawmakers passed a compromise bill Aug. 1 to keep horse racing and simulcasting legal for another year and sent it to the desk of Governor Charlie Baker at 12:11 AM.
Kentucky Downs Announces Additions to its Team
Rick Hammerle, among horse racing’s most respected officials; popular New England sportscaster and former NBC racing analyst Bob Neumeier, and jockey Aaron Gryder are joining the Kentucky Downs team for America’s most unique race meet.
Penn National CEO Tim Wilmott to Retire at Year's End
President and COO Jay Snowden will succeed Tim Wilmott as CEO Jan. 1.
Round Table to Feature International Perspectives
The Jockey Club announced Aug. 1 that its Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing will feature international perspectives as well as communications strategies in times of crisis and measures that may improve the Thoroughbred industry.
NBCSN Plans Coverage of Whitney Stakes
Whitney Stakes (G1) is part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In–Presented by America’s Best Racing,” broadcast schedule.
Jockey Legends Day Set for Aug. 4 at Saragtoga
The New York Racing Association Inc. will welcome a dozen of the sport’s top jockeys back to Saratoga Race Course for the sixth annual Jockey Legends Day, presented by Fasig-Tipton, Sunday, August 4.
NYRA to Launch Jackpot Wager Empire 6 Aug. 7 at Spa
The New York Racing Association, Inc. announced Aug. 1 the launch of the Empire 6, a jackpot-style multi-race wager replacing the traditional Pick 6.