Eight Kentucky online sportsbooks received approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) to launch in the state’s new marketplace. Retail sports bets begin on Sept. 7 and mobile wagers debut on Sept. 28.
Today’s unanimous commission vote provides temporary licenses to the following esports and sports betting operators:
- Bet365 (mobile)
- BetMGM (retail and mobile)
- Caesars (retail and mobile)
- DraftKings (retail and mobile)
- FanDuel (mobile)
- Circa (mobile)
- Barstool (mobile)
- Fanatics (mobile)
- SIS Limited (retail)
Kentucky gamblers can “pre-register” on the online sportsbooks beginning at 6 a.m. on Aug. 28, Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Aug. 17.
In Kentucky, the gambling age is 18 and older. However, most of the sportsbook operators say they’ll adhere to a 21 and older gambling age, per industry norms.
The one outlier may be DraftKings, which sent Bonus this nebulous quote today in answer to the gambling age question:
“DraftKings is committed to following the age restrictions set forth by each individual jurisdiction.”
– Griffin Finan, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, DraftKings
As expected, DraftKings has also announced its choice of partner as Cumberland Run. Gaming Today, another Catena Media publication, had discovered the partnership in advance of its official announcement.
What Do You Mean, Barstool?
Penn Sports Interactive just sold Barstool Sports back to its founder. So industry insiders expected Kentucky to see Penn’s new partner, ESPN Bet.
However, it appears that may not happen immediately.
Kentucky Sports Wagering Director Hans Stokke spoke about the operators before the vote, only mentioning Barstool.
Esports May Be Included in Retail Betting
Stokke said a retail sportsbook branded as Oak Grove will be powered by SIS (Sports Information Services).
On its site, SIS prominently displays its esports betting abilities.
Esports betting involves wagering on the outcomes of video gaming tournaments.
Kentucky Retail and Mobile Sportsbooks
BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings will offer both retail and online sports betting in the Bluegrass State.
In-person sports betting begins on Sept. 7 at Kentucky’s retail sportsbooks.
So if Kentucky gamblers come out on Sept. 7 to place wagers at the BetMGM, Caesars, or DraftKings retail sportsbooks, they may also remember they can deposit money if they’ve pre-registered on the operators’ apps.
The following operators will offer Kentucky sports betting in two channels:
- Caesars Sportsbook will offer retail sports betting at Keeneland and The Red Mile Gaming and Racing in Lexington. The latter location is coincidentally where the commission gathered on July 10 to approve the emergency sports betting regulations.
- BetMGM Sportsbook is opening “a 5,200 square-foot retail BetMGM Sportsbook this fall with RRKY at Sandy’s Racing & Gaming, a $75M gaming and entertainment facility in Ashland. Construction of Kentucky’s first quarter horse racetrack and equestrian center will follow on 182 acres adjacent to Sandy’s, with the first races launching in 2025.”
- DraftKings announced today that its retail sportsbooks will be at The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland and Cumberland Run in Corbin.
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