The Ohio State Racing Commission on Thursday, Aug. 22, approved the distribution of more than $2.1 million from gaming revenue at the four casinos in the state, garnered from its three-percent take on gross casino revenue.
Also, it was announced $290,000 from the video lottery terminal (VLT) escrow fund at Scioto Downs will go to purses at the Delaware County Fair and to the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association (OHHA). Nine percent of revenue from the VLTs goes into the account because there is no contract between the OHHA and Scioto regarding percentages.
A total of $170,000 will go to the Delaware Fair, with $120,000 used to support purses and $50,000 to enhance the purse for the Little Brown Jug. According to fair marketing director Phil Terry, if at least 16 horses enter in this year's Jug, the total purse will now be more than $550,000.
The remaining $120,000 will be used by the OHHA to administer its Horsemen's Health Insurance Trust.
The Standardbred Development Fund will receive $402,680. Raceway Park will receive $59,890 for purses, Lebanon Raceway will receive $69,892 for purses, Scioto Downs will receive $79,893 for purses, and Northfield Park will receive $326,361 for purses. Tracks that are not connected to full-blown casinos—Lebanon, Northfield and Scioto—will each receive $79,476. The Commission will receive $105,968 for administrative costs.
