This is a historic day for our commonwealth. Sports wagering will open for the first time in Kentucky in less than 60 days.
Sports betting in Kentucky will officially launch in September, under emergency regulations signed into effect by Governor Andy Beshear on Monday.
Retail sportsbooks will be allowed to open their doors on Thursday, September 7 — the opening day of the upcoming NFL season. Online sportsbooks will be clear to launch three weeks later, on September 28. College football will be in full swing on both dates.
Beshear signed emergency regulations promulgated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) — newly designated as the regulator for sports betting in KY — on Monday, shortly after a KHRC meeting.
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Additional Terms Apply.
- Quality welcome offer
- Some of the best promos
- Variety of betting markets
“This is a historic day for our commonwealth,” the Democratic governor said shortly after signing the regulations into law. “Sports wagering will open for the first time in Kentucky in less than 60 days.
[Sports wagerng] brings money to the state to support pensions, freeing up money that can be used to build a better Kentucky
“Bringing sports wagering to the state not only gives Kentuckians a much-anticipated new form of entertainment, but also brings money to the state to support pensions, freeing up money that can be used to build a better Kentucky through the funding of education, economic development, disaster recovery and other necessary projects, like providing cleaner water, building roads and high-speed internet.”
KHRC is developing permanent regulations for sports betting alongside the emergency ones. Both sets of regulations are currently identical, but the permanent ones are expected to be tweaked over time — especially after a public comment period into the rules KHRC has come up with so far.
The emergency regulations were divided into 11 different subject matters — including service provider licensing, occupational licensing, and the licensing of racing associations. General provisions, standards for sports wagering, and technical requirements and oversight were also areas for new regulation.
Other rules were developed to address sports wagering accounts, licensing premises, audit and internal control standards, responsible gaming and advertising, and disciplinary actions and hearings.
- Rewarding ongoing promos
- Quality mobile app
- Great selection of sports
Partnerships Already Beginning to Form
Beshear signed a bill authorizing sports betting into law in late March. Under HB 551, the state’s seven horse racetracks and at least two other entities are allowed to operate up to three skins for mobile sports betting — meaning at least 27 sportsbooks are possible.
Last May, Caesars Entertainment became the first operator to announce plans to launch in Kentucky. It signed separate agreements to conduct real money sports betting with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming & Racing, the latter of which owns and operates The Red Mile — the site of Monday’s signing ceremony by Beshear. Both tracks are located in the state capital, Lexington.
Besides Keeneland and The Red Mile, the other tracks and gaming facilities authorized to launch sports betting are:
- Churchill Downs, in Louisville
- Cumberland Run, a harness racing track scheduled to open this fall in Corbin
- Derby City Gaming & Hotel, in Louisville
- Derby City Gaming Downtown, in downtown Louisville
- Ellis Park, in Henderson
- Kentucky Downs, in Franklin
- The Mint Gaming Hall, at locations in Bowling Green and Williamsburg
- Newport Racing & Gaming, in Newport
- Oak Grove, in Oak Grove
- Sandy’s Gaming & Racing, coming to Ashland
- Turfway Park, in Florence
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), which owns Ellis Park, announced on May 31 that it was scrapping plans to open an extension facility in Owensboro. Sports betting would have been allowed at the facility, had it been built.
