Sports Wagering Catalog Released, Details Kentucky Regulator-Approved Bets

Table Tennis Is One of the Kentucky Regulator-Approved Bets
Photo by Shutterstock/Kokulina

The list of Kentucky regulator-approved bets that legal sportsbook operators can offer beginning on Sept. 7 is fascinating. Starting on Sept. 7 at retail sportsbooks and Sept. 28 on sports betting sites, bettors in the Bluegrass State can wager on NFL games or even “Major League Eating Sanctioned Events.”

While they can’t bet on pickleball or slap fights, they can slap a dollar or two down on international snooker events.

Plus, Kentucky Sports Wagering Director Hans Stokke told the Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) today that the regulator doesn’t want to include anything in the catalog that’s “the result of mayhem.”

While he meant events or contests that aren’t judged or scored, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) rules also say Kentuckians can’t bet on youth sports. So, coincidentally, laying down a wager on Kentucky Mayhem Baseball is also out of the question. The Mayhem is a Frankfort-based travel organization for 8- to 17-year-old players.

Stokke spoke to the council this morning about the Kentucky sports wagering catalog because the body appointed on Aug. 15 by Gov. Andy Beshear needed to vote on it. The council unanimously approved the catalog, thereby recommending the KHRC approve it.

This afternoon, the regulator issued a press release saying KHRC Executive Director Jamie Eads also gave it the okay “subject to ratification by the full commission at their next scheduled meeting.”

Kentuckians Can Bet on NFL Games

On Sept. 7, Kentucky’s retail sportsbooks will begin taking wagers at 10 a.m.

Also, 18-year-old gamblers can legally wager on at least two online sportsbooks when that marketplace launches on Sept. 28. Bet365 and DraftKings adhered to the state law that Beshear signed on March 31.

Among the eight sportsbooks offering online wagers in Kentucky on Sept. 28, BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel will stick to the 21-and-up gambling age those operators observe nationally.

Representatives of the other three operators, Barstool, Circa, and Fanatics, haven’t yet said what gambling age they will use.

Kentucky Regulator-Approved Bets

Before releasing the catalog to operators and the public, Stokke said Kentucky sports wagering may have a longer list of approved gambling types by Sept. 28.

Plus, the 2.5 pages of Kentucky regulator-approved bets will continue to be evaluated throughout the sports betting marketplace’s lifetime.

Most likely, the major sporting events from the NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, and NCAA baseball, softball, basketball, football, and hockey will remain in the catalog, unchallenged.

Some other sports may join the list, like pickleball. Stokke said today that for now, Kentucky regulators want to see that become a more organized sport with a recognized governing body before adding it to the catalog.

Bet types can also be excluded from the list after reconsideration, Stokke explained to the council.

That said, here are a few interesting Kentucky regulator-approved bets in the catalog:

  • Esports: Call of Duty League, Counterstrike Global Offensive (CS:GO), League of Legends (LoL), Dota 2, NBA 2k League, Overwatch League, Rainbow 6, and Valorant
  • Australian Rules Football
  • Billiards
  • Bowling
  • Bull riding/rodeo
  • Chess
  • Cornhole
  • Cricket
  • Cycling
  • Darts
  • Golf
  • Netball
  • Sailing
  • Snooker
  • Table tennis

About the Author

Heather Fletcher

Heather Fletcher

Heather Fletcher is Lead Writer at Bonus, concentrating on online casino coverage. She specializes in breaking news, legislative coverage, and gambling marketing strategy overviews. To reach Heather with a news tip, email [email protected].
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