Illinois’ troubled Hawthorne Race Course has been ordered to halt live racing and suspend its off‑track betting (OTB) operations after horsemen at the current harness meet reported receiving purse checks that bounced. Sports betting at the facility remains unaffected.
The Illinois Racing Board (IRB) issued the shutdown order Friday, leaving the state without any live parimutuel horse racing until Hawthorne can resume operations. Although regulators have described the suspension as temporary, no reopening date has been set, and the IRB may require financial assurances before racing is allowed to restart. State rules mandate that racetracks maintain adequate funds to cover purse payments.
Horsemen Call Situation an “Embarrassing Failure”
Jeff Davis, president of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, told members that purse checks were returned unpaid “for the second time in a matter of weeks,” calling it “another embarrassing failure for Hawthorne Race Course.”
Davis urged Hawthorne to immediately provide a letter from its bank confirming the issue was a technical glitch rather than a lack of available funds. “Horsemen’s livelihoods depend on this money, and we are well beyond the point where we can trust what Hawthorne tells us,” he wrote.
Stalled Racino Project Adds Pressure
Illinois lawmakers approved legislation in 2019 allowing racetracks to apply for casino licenses, and Hawthorne received preliminary approval later that year. The track began demolishing its grandstand to make way for a racino, but the project has since stalled.
According to reporting by the Chicago Tribune, Hawthorne’s owners have struggled to secure financing and owe significant debts to contractors.
The uncertainty has also slowed development elsewhere. Regulators have been hesitant to approve competing racetrack or casino projects within the same radius until Hawthorne’s status is resolved.
Simulcast Access Cut in Recent Years
Hawthorne has faced additional operational challenges. In both 2024 and 2025, simulcast providers—including Churchill Downs Inc.—cut off the track’s access to race signals due to unpaid settlement fees. As a result, bettors were unable to wager on races from several major tracks through Hawthorne’s wagering terminals.
With no other Illinois track currently running live parimutuel racing, the state will remain without active racing until Hawthorne satisfies regulators and resumes operations. Fairmount Park and Suburban Downs have been approved to race later in the year.
