On Thursday, August 22, the Ohio State Racing Commission approved distribution of more than $2.1-million in revenue derived from the four full-scale casinos in the state.

The panel also gave the OK for $290,000 to be taken from the Scioto Downs Racino video lottery terminal escrow fund for use at the Delaware County Fair and by the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

The horse-racing industry gets three per cent of the tax on gross casino revenue. The OSRC then pays the money on a quarterly basis.

The latest payment is the fourth since the casinos opened. Racing’s share has cleared the $7-million mark.

The Standardbred Development Fund and Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund will each receive $402,680 from the casino fund. Racetracks will get from $59,890 to $326,361 for purses while eligible tracks --- those not tied to the full-scale casinos --- will each get $79,476 to support operations.

The OSRC will get $105,968 to help pay for administrative costs.

The escrow account at Scioto Downs was created last year in lieu of the track having a contract with the OHHA on the percentage of VLT revenue that will go to purses. It’s currently nine per cent, the minimum allowed by law.

The OHHA decided $120,000 would go to support purses at the Delaware County Fair, with another $50,000 devoted to the Little Brown Jug for three-year-old pacers. Another $120,000 will be used for the Horsemen’s Health Insurance Trust, which is administered by the OHHA.

(USTA)