Casinos in Kentucky are gearing up for the holiday season with play promotions and special events. While traditional gambling isn’t legal in KY casinos, instant racing betting machines are available on-site.
Aside from the holiday festivities, casino guests should also be aware of Kentucky state and casino COVID restrictions currently in place.
Holiday promotions at KY casinos with instant racing betting machines
Derby City Gaming
The Haul Yeah! Ford F-150 Giveaway will be on December 30th at Derby City Gaming. Those with entries in the promotion could see thousands of dollars in free play and cash as well as a grand prize Ford F-150 Tremor.
Derby City Gaming is also holding their Mistletoe Moolah Cash & Free Play Giveaway on Saturdays in December, in which those who enter could win between $1,000 and $3,000 in cash or free play.
New Year’s Eve will also be an exciting day for giveaways at Derby City Gaming. During the Hello New Year Hot Seat giveaway, active players between 12 pm and 10 pm will be entered to win free play. The awards are $500-$1,000 every 30 minutes or every hour, respectively.
Kentucky Downs
At Kentucky Downs, the Santa’s Presents Kiosk Game & Drawings is already collecting entries. Drawings will be on December 12th for a chance to win up to $750 in free play or $500 in cash.
The 12 Days of Christmas giveaway offers cash, gifts, and free play prizes on various days throughout December.
Christmas Day at Kentucky Downs will give up to $1,000 cash to 20 lucky winners with the Christmas Cash Drawings. Drawings will happen for participants to pick an ornament for their winnings.
Newport Racing & Gaming
The Very Merry Point Multiplier will be in effect on Tuesdays in December. Players Club Members can multiply their gaming points by between 2X and 8X.
The Dashing Through the Dough promotion at Newport Racing & Gaming will be held Fridays in December. Drawings will be every 30 minutes for up to $500 of free play.
On Thursdays in December, Players Club members can Donate Toys for Free Play. Bring a new toy and get $10 in free play.
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming, and Hotel
The Pick an Ornament Kiosk Game will be on Sundays in December. Players Club members could win between $10-$1,000 in free play. Bring a new toy and redeem $10 of free play during the Give a Kid a Christmas promotion at Oak Grove Racing until December 11th.
Guests can head to the Grandstands on New Year’s Eve for the NYE Party with DJ Joe Padula. A cash bar and balloon drops will feature in the area, and VIP tables will have a midnight champagne toast.
NYE Drawings will also take place for Players Club members. $22 of free play will award players every 30 minutes with a grand prize of $2,022 at 2 am.
Red Mile
While it is not open on Christmas Day, Red Mile will have plenty of holiday promotions leading up to the holiday. In other words, the $40,000 Santa Sleigh Giveaway on December 4th and 11th will see $40,000 worth of cash, free play, and other prizes awarded to winners.
On December 18th, players can win free play prizes every 10 minutes during the $6,000 Winning Wonderland giveaway.
Red Mile’s New Year’s Eve event is the $20,000 Cirque du Red Mile. DJ Green will be playing, party favors and drink specials will be available, and free play winners will be selected every 15 minutes and every hour.
COVID restrictions and protocols at Kentucky casinos
Derby City Gaming’s Team Clean Machine Program continues to clean high-traffic areas properly, and the casino still has measures to encourage social distancing. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the property.
Newport Racing & Gaming installed the PYURE Company air purification system early on in the pandemic. According to the casino website, air-purifying is scientifically proven to kill the COVID-19 virus.
While the state of Kentucky lifted its mask mandate back in June, many businesses are still requiring unvaccinated individuals to mask up. KY casinos are taking individual steps to keep guests safe as they prepare for holiday visits to the properties.