DraftKings is ready to make its play for Kentucky sports betting market share.
DraftKings announced Tuesday its market entry deal with Cumberland Run owner ECL Entertainment for Kentucky sports betting. The partnership gives DraftKings Sportsbook mobile access to the Bluegrass State, as well as in-person sportsbooks at ECL Entertainment properties.
“Together with the Corbin properties, we’re excited to bring our premier sports betting experience to yet another state and its sports fans,” DraftKings President Matt Kalish said in a release. “We want to thank the Kentucky General Assembly for passing legislation and Governor Andy Beshear for his support of sports wagering as we look forward to launching our sportsbook product during a buy football season, pending licensure and regulatory approvals.”
In-person sportsbooks will open September 7. Mobile sports betting can begin September 28.
Cumberland Kentucky sports betting access
The deal is through ECL Entertainment’s subsidiary ECL Corbin. Along with Cumberland Run, ECL Entertainment also owns The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland.
“The Corbin properties are truly excited to work with DraftKings, one of the country’s leading sportsbook operators,” ECL Corbin co-Managing Partner Marc Falcone said in the release. “This will be a great relationship for both companies.”
ECL Entertainment also owns several historical horse racing facilities in Kentucky. Circa Sports also gained Kentucky access through Cumberland.
DraftKings footprint grows
Kentucky will be the 22nd state for DraftKings online sports betting.
The sportsbook operator is live in 24 states, including in-person-only states.
According to LSR analysis, DraftKings controls approximately 30%-35% of national market share.
Other Kentucky sportsbooks
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission met Tuesday to approve a first round of sportsbook licenses. Most of the largest US sportsbooks will be live in Kentucky this fall:
- Bet365 (Sandy’s Racing & Gaming)
- BetMGM (Sandy’s Racing & Gaming)
- Caesars (The Red Mile)
- Fanatics Sportsbook (Oak Grove)
- FanDuel (Turfway Park)
- Kambi (Churchill Downs)
- Penn Sports Interactive (Ellis Park)
Each of the state’s nine horse racing tracks can have up to three online skins.
Important Kentucky sports betting dates
Along with the launch dates, Beshear laid out important dates last week.
Kentuckians can begin registering on online sportsbooks August 28.
Bluegrass State bettors can begin depositing money into online accounts on September 7, the same day in-person betting begins.
