With Kentucky sports betting rapidly approaching, Kentuckians received a glimpse at what they can bet on next week.
On Thursday, a group of regulators approved an initial sports catalog for the debut of in-person Kentucky sportsbooks next week. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s Sports Wagering Advisory Council recommended the catalog to the KHRC, which will vote on the issue before the Sept. 7 launch of sports betting.
Among the items included is NFL betting, as the professional football season kicks off the same day.
“Excitement for sports wagering is building as we are just one week away from opening retail locations and one month from opening mobile applications for sports wagering,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a release. “Kentuckians now know where they can place a bet and the type of sporting events and wagers that licensees can offer.”
What’s included in KY sports betting catalog?
Regulators put together the catalog by looking at other jurisdictions, according to KHRC Director of Sports Wagering Hans Stokke. The final list will be available once the KHRC approves the document, but it includes the major sporting leagues in the US.
“Some leagues and wager types that are available in other jurisdictions, we decided weren’t right in our initial offering,” Stokke said. “For our initial offering, we chose the sporting events that are governed by a governing body we felt comfortable with the research we’ve done.”
Stokke noted several omissions:
- Dog and horse racing
- Events not considered sports, like the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards
- Market types of injuries, penalties and replay-related
- Disciplinary proceedings
Notable sports in the catalog
Along with the NFL, and other football leagues, most major US and international leagues and events are in the catalog.
That even includes events sanctioned by Major League Eating and Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. It also allows for betting on LIV Golf, along with the PGA Tour and Major Championships.
A complete list can be found on the KHRC website.
More coming to Kentucky sports betting?
Stokke said several online sportsbook providers asked for some markets that were not suitable for the initial in-person launch.
“There is a possibility to add more later,” Stokke said.
Service providers will be able to ask for more through official channels. Stokke also said there could be a more extensive catalog available by the time online sports betting goes live Sept. 28.
Sportsbooks ready for Kentucky
Churchill Downs Inc. will open six in-person sportsbooks Sept. 7, including at Churchill Downs Racetrack, where Beshear will place the state’s first bet at 10 am.
BetMGM and bet365 are partnered with Sandy’s Racing and Gaming, where BetMGM will have an in-person sportsbook. Caesars, meanwhile, will open a sportsbook at The Red Mile.
DraftKings will have an in-person sportsbook at Cumberland Run. Circa Sports also has online access to the state through Cumberland.
Online providers waiting for launch
Churchill Downs, which is operating its own in-person sportsbooks with Kambi, is providing online access to three sportsbooks:
- Fanatics Sportsbook (Oak Grove)
- FanDuel (Turfway Park)
- Penn Sports Interactive’s ESPN Bet (Ellis Park)
Each of the state’s nine horse racing tracks can partner with up to three online service providers. The KHRC approved eight initial online sportsbook brands this month.
Kentucky bettors could begin registering online accounts August 28.
