Where Sports Betting Stands in Kentucky Prior to Online Launch

Devin Leary #13 of the Kentucky Wildcats against the EKU Colonels at Kroger Field on Sept. 9 in Lexington, Kentucky. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP

It has been two weeks since Kentucky introduced retail sports betting, with just one more week to go before the launch of the more profitable and comprehensive mobile platform.

The legal Kentucky sports betting industry has rapidly evolved since Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 into law on June 28. So, what can we anticipate with the arrival of online sports betting sites in Kentucky? Let’s delve into the details.

Kentucky ripe for the picking

Kentucky was considered a natural choice for the growing legal sports betting industry in America. The state is famous for hosting the highly popular and heavily bet on Kentucky Derby, as well as having a thriving college sports scene.

Apart from two MLS teams, Kentucky currently lacks a major professional sports franchise. However, the state’s sporting culture is nearly unmatched.

The creation of a comprehensive legal sports betting platform is anticipated to generate thousands of new jobs and could bring in an annual tax revenue of $23 million.

While retail sports betting in Kentucky has been successful, the real game-changer will be the launch of sports betting apps on September 28th. Mobile apps are known to drive the majority of handle and revenue for sports betting in the U.S., and Kentucky is expected to follow suit. Promotions for Kentucky sportsbooks are already up and running in the state.

Two weeks of retail

According to reports, retail sports betting in Kentucky has had a strong beginning. However, in states where both retail and mobile sports betting are available, retail betting only represents a small percentage of the total bets placed.

Currently, individuals who are 18 years or older can wager on sports legally in person at:

Churchill Downs
Cumberland Run
Derby City Gaming
Ellis Park in Henderson
Newport Racing and Gaming
The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run in Corbin
The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run in Williamsburg
Oak Grove
Turfway Park

What is available to bet on?

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has been diligently curating an impressive selection of sports and betting markets for their clientele. Kentucky’s sports betting offerings are on par with the top states in the country, with only a few minor deviations.

Gamblers can place bets on:

NFL
MLB
NHL
NBA
WNBA
NCAA baseball, softball, basketball, football, and hockey
XFL
USFL
Canadian Football League
LIV Golf
eSports
Japan Nippon Professional Baseball
FIBA sanctioned basketball events
Cycling
Boxing
Motorsports
Netball (ANZ Premiership and Super Netball)
Sailing (Americas Cup)
X Games
Winter and Summer Olympics
Major League Eating Sanctioned Events
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Regrettably, horse racing and dog racing bets are conspicuously missing from the current list. While this may not be a significant issue at the moment since bettors are required to visit a racetrack to place legal sports wagers, it will definitely be a notable gap in the Kentucky sports betting apps offerings once mobile betting is launched on Sept. 28.

The list of approved bet types by the Commission is extensive and includes single-game bets, teaser bets, parlays, Over/Under bets, moneyline bets, pools, in-game wagering, in-play bets, proposition bets, and straight bets.

Once more, this menu is quite comprehensive and closely resembles those found in nearly all states where sports betting is legal in America.

Looking forward to …

Legal sports betting in Kentucky will reach a new level on September 28 with the launch of mobile sports betting. Sports betting apps in the state have been pre-registering customers and offering attractive welcome bonuses in anticipation of the launch.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is currently in meetings to approve additional mobile providers. It is doubtful that any new providers will be announced in the next week before the highly anticipated launch.

Kentucky has the potential to award up to 27 mobile sports betting licenses, but currently, bettors can enjoy placing bets with:

Kentucky residents, get prepared to place your sports bets from the convenience of your own homes. September 28th will align with Week 4 of the NFL season and the excitement of upcoming NBA and NHL seasons, along with college basketball games.

Online betting is just around the corner, but retail sports wagering is already booming. All eyes in the legal sports betting industry will be on Kentucky to gauge the popularity of the platform.

Written By:
Perry Sandra

Perry Sandra and betting go hand-in-hand. Both are characterized by “odds”. Dave fancies himself as one of the most dedicated sports and pop-culture junkies around, to the chagrin of his family and friends. Following sports for 50 years and writing about it for 20, Dave hasn’t found a sport yet that can’t contribute to 2-3 straight hours of couch time. That search remains ongoing. As a good old Canadian boy, hockey is in Dave’s heart, as is curling sadly. But evolution is a real thing and that’s why football, baseball, and just about every sport on the planet has become a passion. Dave isn’t afraid to kill some time obsessing over politics or the far-too-frequent awards shows the consume the airwaves.