July 10, 2024 Kansas Racing Update

The KQHRA is proud to announce live horse racing will soon be coming back to Kansas. While there's much left to do, we hope to bring you information as it becomes available. 

In 2022 a bill was signed into law allowing parimutuel wagering on Historical Horse Racing (HHR). In short, these machines will accept a wager on the outcome of a horse race that has been conducted in the past. There is no method to handicap or predict the outcome of these races, a bettor simply makes their selections based on post position and push the button to play the short video of the race. These machines may look similar to a slot machine found in casinos but actually work through a parimutuel pool. States that currently have HHR in operation reveal similar dollar amounts wagered in these machines as a casino's slot machine. 

Billionaire Phil Ruffin is currently engaged in a $128 million renovation of the old Wichita Greyhound Park where 1,000 of these HHR machines will be placed. Projected parimutuel handle on these machines is well over $500 million annually. Opening for the Golden Circle facility is expected to be September 1, 2025. 

This spring (2024), the legislature passed language, as part of the Omnibus bill, that will transfer the state tax on the operation of HHR machines to the use of the horse racing and breeding industry of Kansas. Of this 3% tax on parimutuel wagers on these machines, 2% is earmarked for the Horse Fair Racing Benefit Fund and 1% will be transferred to the Kansas Breeders Development Fund. It is believed this revenue could re-energize an industry that once boasted over a $100 million economic impact annually on the state's economy.

In addition, the Greenwood County Fair Association (which owns the racetrack facility known as Eureka Downs) received a $2 million grant to be used to renovate the track and make ready for live racing once again. 

So once again, things are looking up for Kansas Breeders and Owners! Start making plans for racing in 2026!

We will keep this site updated with any new information