The $60 million historical racing machine facility will be called Derby City Gaming, and it is expected to open in fall 2018.
The facility is at 4520 Poplar Level Road, near the Watterson Expressway and on the site of Churchill Downs’ (Nasdaq: CHDN) former Trackside and Sports Spectrum operations.
Derby City Gaming will create an estimated 400 new jobs for the local economy, including 250 construction jobs and 150 full- and part-time jobs to operate and manage the facility, according to a news release.
Churchill Downs said it will hire hourly and salaried employees in areas such as operations, marketing, finance, food and beverage, maintenance, information technology, human resources, security and administration.
Derby City Gaming will have two quick-service, walk-up food venues and a bar with seating for 50. The gaming area will open with 600 cutting-edge historical racing machines, which are similar to slot machines, and a simulcast wagering area.
It also will have a player’s club reward center, which will offer perks and benefits, including an exclusive parking area for VIP players.