Kentuckians will be able to place bets on sporting events starting September 7th following legislation legalizing the wagers in the state during the 2023 session.
To set up a framework for people to be able to place their bets soon, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) voted Tuesday to approve temporary licenses for in-person and digital operators and providers.
Where To Bet In Person
The following Kentucky racetracks and their satellite facilities were approved to open a sportsbook with a planned retail opening on September 7:
- Churchill Downs, Louisville
- Derby City Gaming, Louisville
- Ellis Park, Henderson
- The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run, Corbin
- The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland, Williamsburg
- Newport Racing and Gaming, Newport
- Oak Grove Gaming and Racing, Oak Grove
- The Red Mile, Lexington
- Turfway Park, Florence
The following were approved, with facilities coming soon:
- Derby City Gaming, coming soon to downtown Louisville
- Ellis Park, coming soon to Owensboro
- Sandy’s Gaming and Racing, coming soon to Ashland
Mobile Applications For Betting
There will be eight mobile applications that Kentuckians can also use to place bets starting September 28 including:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Circa Sports
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Penn Sports Interactive
Timeline for Implementation
Last week, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a timeline for sports wagering to open in Kentucky. That timeline now moves closer to full implementation. Key dates for Kentuckians to remember include:
- Monday, August 28, at 6 a.m. EDT: Kentuckians can pre-register an account with approved mobile applications. Allowing pre-registration eases strains on electronic systems that can sometimes happen when many people try to register at once.
- Thursday, September 7, at 6 a.m. EDT: Wagerers can deposit money into their pre-registered mobile accounts only with approved mobile applications.
- Thursday, September 7, at 10 a.m. EDT: Wagerers can place an in-person bet at licensed retail facilities.
- Thursday, September 28, at 6 a.m. EDT: Approved mobile applications can start taking wagers.
Stay tuned to The Bottom Line for more information.