Kentucky Reports Record HHR Revenue of $95 Million for September 2026

The gambling landscape in Kentucky is showing remarkable strength as of autumn 2026. Contrary to some market cooling predictions, the latest data from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation proves the sector's vitality. Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines, which resemble traditional slots but use the results of past horse races to determine outcomes, have become the primary revenue engine for the state. In September, gross revenue climbed to a significant $95 million, marking a 4.1% increase year-over-year.

This growth is particularly impressive when considering the calendar constraints. Compared to the previous year, September 2026 had one fewer weekend day. Furthermore, the high-revenue Labor Day weekend did not fall within this reporting period. Nevertheless, operators managed to increase their earnings, suggesting a very loyal and expanding customer base within the Bluegrass State's racinos. Even when excluding the newly opened Marshall Yards casino, same-store growth remained solid at 2.6%.

Numbers and facts

A closer look at individual locations highlights the market dynamics. Derby City Casino remains the undisputed leader in Kentucky. With a gross revenue of $18.3 million in September, it leads the rankings despite a slight 3.1% decline. The efficiency of the machines there is notable: the 1,247 HHR devices earned an average of $473 per day each. This represents the highest per-machine performance in the entire state.

In sharp contrast, Derby City Downtown, while much smaller, saw explosive growth of 14.2%, reaching $1.7 million. Here, the 382 installed devices averaged $143 per day. Another key player is Oak Grove Casino. With $15.7 million in revenue, it secured second place in the state rankings. The 1,222 machines there improved their performance by 2.3%, averaging $413 per day each.

Smaller venues also contributed to the overall record. Marshall Yards, which opened its doors in February, contributed $1.4 million. With 223 machines and a daily average of $206 per device, the new location is steadily establishing itself in the market. However, not every site saw gains. Ellis Park experienced a 3.7% decrease, falling to $2.3 million. This indicates that competition between individual venues is becoming more intense as the market matures.

Background

Kentucky has a long-standing tradition in equestrian sports, but the introduction of HHR machines and later sports betting in 2023 has fundamentally altered the industry. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission strictly oversees this sector. Governor Andy Beshear has repeatedly emphasized the importance of integrating modern wagering formats with the state's heritage.

„Kentucky launched sports betting in 2023 and wasted no time producing strong numbers at retail and online sportsbooks." - Sol Fayerman-Hansen, Editor-in-Chief at RG.org

The success of HHR machines lies in their legal classification as pari-mutuel wagering. Unlike traditional house-banked casino games, players here wager against each other in a pool, with the system utilizing actual historical race data. This allowed for the operation of slot-like devices in a state that for a long time maintained strict prohibitions against commercial casinos.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, these million-dollar figures from the US often sound like a different world, yet regulatory parallels exist. In Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) regulates the market extremely strictly. While a single device in Kentucky can generate $473 per day, German online casinos operate under tight constraints. The monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers and the 1 euro per spin limit on virtual slots significantly cap potential revenues.

Furthermore, German players are protected by the central OASIS exclusion system and the LUGAS monitoring database. Anyone wishing to play legally in Germany must stick to providers listed on the official whitelist of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). While this regulation ensures safety, it prevents the kind of extreme revenue spikes currently seen in Kentucky. While US growth is often driven by expansion, player protection remains the top priority in Germany.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The development in Kentucky shows that technological innovations (like HHR) can revitalize markets. For German providers with a GGL license, this means they must offer innovative products within the legal framework to remain competitive. The focus here is on legal online slots that meet the requirements of GlüStV 2021. The comparison with Kentucky makes it clear that a regulated market can grow stably when the framework is clearly defined. German operators should view the data from the USA as evidence that transparency and state oversight lead to healthy long-term market growth, even if individual player limits in Germany are much stricter.