Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has announced new development details related to its charitable gaming facility in Salem, New Hampshire. The company currently operates Casino Salem, located in 19,000 square-feet within The Mall at Rockingham Park. Casino Salem will be redeveloped as Rockingham Grand Casino.

Rockingham Grand Casino will occupy 160,000 square-feet over three floors and will feature 825 historical racing machines, 32 table games, 12 electronic table game seats, a 900-seat live entertainment venue, and several food and beverage concepts, including a center bar and full-service sports bar and restaurant. The Company received approval from the Salem Planning Board for its development plan in December.

Rockingham Grand Casino will be a key tenant of The Mall at Rockingham Park which is the largest shopping mall in New Hampshire. Rockingham Grand Casino is also positioned near Tuscan Village, a prominent mixed-use development offering dining, entertainment, retail shopping, residential areas, hotels, and commercial office space. CDI plans to open Rockingham Grand Casino in mid-2027, with an expected capital investment of $180-200 million.

“We are proud to officially begin our development of Rockingham Grand Casino in partnership with Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli. We look forward to contributing to New Hampshire’s charitable organizations while bringing outstanding entertainment experiences to our guests across the greater Boston region,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI.

“We are excited to take the next step alongside our valued partners at Churchill Downs as we begin our journey to bring Rockingham Grand Casino to life. We remain fully committed to strengthening our local economy through the creation of vibrant consumer destinations,” said Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) (the “Company”, “CDI”, “we”) announced today that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire a majority of the outstanding equity interests (the “Salem Transaction”) of a Salem, New Hampshire joint venture (“Casino Salem”) with the right to develop a charitable gaming, entertainment and dining destination featuring historical horse racing machines (“HRMs”).

Casino Salem is located at The Mall at Rockingham Park, which is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Boston. Prominent local developers Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli will maintain ownership in Casino Salem, ensuring their experience remains central to the development and future success of this new venue.

The initial phase of Casino Salem opened on July 9th with approximately 100 HRMs and 13 live table games. Over the coming months, CDI will finalize plans and commence construction of the future phases of the project including a rebranding of the venue, an expansion of the gaming floor, and several food and beverage concepts.

“New Hampshire is an exciting opportunity, and this transaction – and our new partnership with Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli – allows us to develop a regional destination to draw patrons to Salem from across the growing New England market,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI. “We look forward to sharing more about our plans to build an expanded, state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment facility in Salem and to support charitable organizations throughout New Hampshire.”

“We are thrilled to move forward in partnership with Churchill Downs, one of the country’s preeminent gaming and entertainment operators,” said Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli. “With our vision for Salem, we remain committed to driving economic stimulus to our local economy, creating new jobs, and increasing tourism while delivering a world-class destination that will create lasting benefits for the community for decades.”

Separately from Casino Salem, CDI will continue to operate its Chasers Poker Room in Salem.

The Company will finance the Salem Transaction using its existing credit facility. Closing of the Transaction is subject to usual and customary closing conditions, including receipt of approval by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. The Transaction is anticipated to close during the third quarter of 2025.

NBC Sports will continue to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032, as Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) and NBC Sports announced a multi-year extension of their partnership.

The extension of the NBC Sports-Churchill Downs relationship – which began with the 2001 “Run for the Roses” – will make NBC the longest running home of the Kentucky Derby, as NBCUniversal will become the first media company to present the most prestigious event in horse racing for three decades (32 editions of the Kentucky Derby from 2001-32).

“As we celebrate the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs is proud to extend the relationship with NBC Sports. As our media partner for the last 23 years, NBC has artfully captured the most exciting two minutes in sports and the spectacle of the senses that surrounds it,” said Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen.

“Telling the rich stories surrounding the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May is part of the fabric of NBC Sports, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition with Churchill Downs. We look forward to surrounding the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby with wall-to-wall coverage and extensive promotion on the platforms of NBCUniversal,” said Rick Cordella, President of NBC Sports.

The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and additional NBCU platforms.