The renowned gaming and entertainment corporation, Churchill Downs Incorporated, widely recognized for its flagship venue, Churchill Downs Racetrack—host of the illustrious Kentucky Derby—is broadening its reach within the New England region. The enterprise recently procured Chasers Poker Room situated in Salem, New Hampshire, further augmenting its expanding collection of gaming establishments.

Chasers, a favored destination among poker aficionados in the vicinity of Boston, will function as a launching pad for Churchill Downs’ ambitious endeavors within the state. The corporation aims to metamorphose the current card room into a more expansive charitable gaming establishment, boasting a capacity of up to 800 gaming stations. This enlarged venue will showcase a diverse array of engaging choices, encompassing simulated racing machines and table-based games.

Churchill Downs is poised to make a substantial investment in this undertaking, allocating approximately $150 million towards the acquisition and the construction of the new facility. This strategic maneuver aligns with the company’s overarching goal to penetrate new markets and capitalize on the burgeoning popularity of simulated racing.

Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the acquisition, affirming the company’s eagerness to utilize its proficiency in simulated racing operations to build upon the accomplishments of Chasers. He also underscored the company’s dedication to bolstering local communities, emphasizing the considerable charitable contributions that the new establishment will generate for non-profit entities within New Hampshire.

This expansion will establish New Hampshire as the fourth state where Churchill Downs manages simulated horse racing games, joining Kentucky, Louisiana, and in the near future, Virginia, subsequent to the finalization of its acquisition of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment.

The iconic Churchill Downs, renowned for the Kentucky Derby, is expanding beyond the racetrack and thriving in the digital realm of wagering and gaming. Their most recent financial report revealed an unprecedented $582.5 million in earnings for the second quarter of 2022, a significant increase of $67.4 million over the corresponding period last year. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic in 2021, this year’s Kentucky Derby proved to be a resounding triumph, generating an impressive $231.3 million more than the previous year.