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Kentucky, A History of Lottery & Horse Racing

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When most Americans get asked what they most associate the Bluegrass State with, the first answer will likely be whiskey, followed by naming the ripe farming region as the home of the world’s most famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, an event that generates upwards of $500 million in business. Without question, this slice of the US has always been renowned for its storied thoroughbred past, traced back to 18th century Kentucky, showing its roots in private track races from this period.

Despite the state acting as a hotbed for equestrian racing, it has never been synonymous with gambling. That is so, even with Dolly Parton’s Kentucky Gambler and, at one point, Newport, a small city of some fifteen thousand people in Campbell County, getting pegged to become what eventually turned into Las Vegas. Few people know that Sin City was a nickname first used to describe Newport, a town rich with Italian immigrants, that got used as inspiration for Mario Puzzo’s The Godfather.

Today, Kentucky, like always, does not have a super liberal stance regarding games of chance. There are no land-based and KY online casinos. However, the state decided to get with the times and legalized sports betting on March 31, 2023, becoming the 34th US region to do so. It also allowed mobile wagering, coming in as the 25th territory in the country to permit this activity. Yet, below, we explore its deep and vibrant horse racing past and its booming lottery as Kentucky approves of two other forms of betting.

Kentucky’s Horse Racing Linage

Kentucky bears the label Bluegrass State because its seasonal grass carries a rich emerald to blue-green color. The grass is not ideal for hay but is terrific for pastures since it is very palatable and nutritious. Overall, the equine sector in Kentucky is a massive part of the region’s agribusiness. Per data supplied by the University of Kentucky, this industry creates over forty thousand jobs, and it contributes more than three billion to the local economy through the breeding, buying/selling, and racing of horses.

These noble creatures are a sizeable part of Kentucky’s identity. As settlers pushed into this area of the United States in the 18th century, individuals with equestrian experience quickly noticed the land’s potential for breeding horses. They recognized its wealth of quality mineral-based water was excellent for producing dense horse bones. So, they started raising thoroughbreds, and at the same time, racing them was kicking off on the East Coast. During this period, there were no national or state-organized racing competitions. Races were confined to small-town tracks and private farm ones. Nevertheless, eventually, these contests grew bigger, which led to the creation of more impressive courses that started to attract people from all corners of the country.

Revolutionary War hero William Whitley is credited as one of the pioneers of Kentucky horse racing, as he built the Sportsman’s Hill private circular track around 1780. He founded this venue partly due to his hate of the British, declaring that on his track, the race would get run counterclockwise on dirt and not clockwise on grass as English tradition declares.

In 1836, Henry Farris founded the Spring Hill Race Course near Sportsman’s Hill, earning this area the nickname the Saratoga of the South, attracting loads of Southern socialites each summer. The Civil War halted Kentucky’s horse racing, as the elites stopped visiting the area, until in 1875, Louisville played host to the Kentucky Derby, which reestablished this sector in a big way.       

The Establishment of the Kentucky Lottery

If one does a Google search on lottery games in Kentucky, one will see that lotto-style draws were legalized in this section of the nation in April 1989. Six months prior, the state’s residents voted in favor of this, resulting in a 60.08% to 39.2% increase. Hence, this brought forward a constitutional amendment that rendered void Section 226, which prohibited lotteries in Kentucky. The move saw the establishment of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation, which offers a wide range of games, including famed draws like Mega Millions and Powerball, on top of daily ones, and scratch-off tickets. 

Officials say that this hobby generated, in the 2023 fiscal year, $1.8 billion in total sales, representing a 9.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over $380 million were awarded scholarships to Kentucky college students via grant funding.

While officially regulated lotteries started running in 1989 in Kentucky, the pastime has a two-century-long history. Like with horse racing, evidence of the initial lotteries can be dated to the 18th century and used to gather funds for constructing bridges, roads, and public buildings. The initial authorized one happened in 1792 and was used to raise money for the building of a churn in Lexington.

In the 1820s, the state legislature banned them because of public social and economic concerns. Still, those restrictions were enforced only in a few places, allowing illegal draws to operate in the state. Nowadays, the Kentucky Lottery is carefully regulated and has given out around $4 billion in grants and scholarships to students, dramatically helping education in the state.

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7-Eleven selects Jackpot.com as their official lottery partner

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Online Lottery Courier Service Jackpot.com Announces Exclusive Collaboration with 7-Eleven, Inc.

Jackpot.com will serve as the official lottery courier service of 7-Eleven, Inc., initially launching in Ohio and Massachusetts  

Jackpot.com – the online lottery courier service that allows consumers to purchase official state lottery tickets on their phone, tablet, or computer – announced today an exclusive collaboration with 7-Eleven Inc., the largest convenience store chain in the world, to serve as their official lottery courier service.

As part of the collaboration, 7-Eleven customers in Ohio and Massachusetts will be able to sign up and play lottery games and scratchers on the Jackpot.com app or website. The program will initially be launched in over 600 7-Eleven and Speedway stores in Ohio and Massachusetts, with a special launch promotion that gives 7-Eleven customers a free lottery ticket on their first deposit by using promo code, “7Eleven”.

“We’re thrilled to work with 7-Eleven, the leading retailer of lottery tickets in the country,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com. “Leveraging our technology and innovation, we can provide additional convenience for their customers, while adding an additional source of revenue. A true win-win relationship for all.”

By launching in Ohio and Massachusetts in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Jackpot.com aims at adding another avenue for player convenience with one of the most widely recognized brands in the convenience-retailing space. With a presence in Ohio, the nation’s seventh-largest lottery market, and Massachusetts, whose state lottery produced $1.2 billion in net profit for the Commonwealth during the 2024 fiscal year, Jackpot.com’s collaboration with 7-Eleven represents an added layer of accessibility for players.

Jackpot.com remains committed to responsible play and has significantly invested in protocols by allowing customers of legal age to set spend limits and limits on daily deposits, all while providing access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior be detected. Jackpot.com is also the only lottery courier service to launch with an iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.

To learn more, visit jackpot.com. First-time users can also download the official Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, where available.

 

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eSports

The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!

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The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.

This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the

Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.

The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:

  • (R)Evolution in Esports
  • East Meets West
  • Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
  • The Rise of International Esports Competitions
  • (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.

Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.

These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.

Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.

Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.

To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration

See you in Busan!

 

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eSports

Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference

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Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience.

As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.

Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.

Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC  key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .

“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are  committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.” 

Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated:  “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”

He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”

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