Owensboro Racing and Gaming – a $100 million facility developed by Churchill Downs – is set to open its doors to the public on February 12. General Manager Steve Roof described the establishment as a game-changer for the region, offering entertainment, dining, and gaming options unlike anything Owensboro has seen before.
“This is a beautiful facility,” Roof said. “Churchill Downs has pulled out all the stops. It’s a place where people can come to relax, have fun, and enjoy high-quality amenities.”
The venue will feature 600 historical horse racing machines, which differ from traditional slot machines by using real past race results to determine outcomes. The machines offer the look and feel of a casino with themes and games similar to those found in a casino but are calculated differently based on historical horse races.
For sports fans, the Starting Gate sports bar will be a highlight. With a massive screen that can display one large event or split into as many as 36 different games simultaneously, Roof said it’s designed to be the ultimate destination for watching NFL football, March Madness, and other major events. He emphasized that visitors don’t have to wager to enjoy the facility, which also offers a wide variety of food and drink options.
“Our menu includes everything from specialty hamburgers and hot dogs to shrimp po’boys and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches,” Roof said. “We want to provide quick and delicious meals so people can focus on enjoying their time here.”
The property also includes a separate smoking section, separated from the main floor by two sets of doors and featuring advanced HVAC systems designed to minimize smoke in the designated area. Roof explained how the system is designed to keep the air clean while maintaining clear boundaries between smoking and non-smoking areas.
“Non-smokers won’t have to pass through smoking sections,” Roof said. “We’ve invested in very sophisticated HVAC units that push clean air in and pull smoky air out. Smoking areas are negatively pressurized, and you have to enter through a vestibule designed to prevent smoke from escaping into other parts of the building. With these systems, the air in the smoking areas should be much cleaner and more comfortable than people might expect.”
Ahead of the public opening, the facility will host a VIP event on February 10, with proceeds benefiting two local charities: the Opportunity Center of Owensboro and Fight Like a Dozer. The latter is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to families of children diagnosed with pediatric cancer, offering support such as covering mortgage payments to ease the burden.
Roof, whose grandson recently marked five years cancer-free, shared a personal connection to the cause.
“It’s important for us to give back to the community,” Roof said. “These organizations do incredible work, and we’re honored to support them.”
The project has created more than 220 jobs, with most of the team already onboard and undergoing orientation. While the finishing touches are being completed, Roof is confident the property will be ready for its grand opening.
Roof is a Kentucky Wesleyan College graduate and said returning to Owensboro for this role holds special meaning for him.
“Owensboro is where I grew up into adulthood,” he said. “To come back 40 years later and open a facility like this — it’s just incredible.”
Owensboro Racing and Gaming is located at 460 Wrights Landing Road. Doors will open to the public following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on February 12, and the venue will operate 24/7.
