Horse racing fans in the Chicago area planning to bet on the Kentucky Derby at Hawthorne Race Course may have to go online due to a dispute over payments to Churchill Downs. Hawthorne is no longer offering over-the-counter betting on the Derby or other races at Churchill Downs, but customers can still watch the broadcast and wager online through horseracing apps.
Hawthorne officials are working to resolve the interruption of over-the-counter and self-service machine wagering options before the Derby. The payment dispute is linked to Hawthorne’s inability to secure financing for a casino at its track, which would generate revenue for horse races and simulcasts.
The absence of simulcast betting at Hawthorne is concerning for horse owners and riders in Illinois, who depend on a cut of remote betting at other tracks. The news comes as Fairmount Park Casino & Racing recently opened its 100th season with a new casino, while Churchill Downs Inc. closed Arlington International Racecourse in 2021 to focus on its ownership of Rivers Casino.