Legal in-person Kentucky sports betting becomes live today, with online launch coming in three more weeks.
Gov. Andy Beshear will kick off Kentucky sports betting at 10 am with the state’s first legal bet at Churchill Downs Racetrack, as in-person sportsbooks open just in time for NFL betting, as the season begins today. Shortly after, key legislative proponents Rep. Michael Meredith and Sen. Damon Thayer will place the first bets at Red Mile Gaming.
Beshear signed sports betting into law in March, making it one of the fastest states to go from governor signature to live. For now, bettors will be limited to in-person wagers, but Kentucky sports betting goes online via mobile apps September 28.
Here is everything to know about Kentucky sports betting launching today for in-person bets:
Where Kentucky bettors can wager
Many Kentuckians will be near in-person sportsbooks across the state.
Sportsbooks are available at:
- Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville (Churchill Downs Race and Sports Book)
- Derby City Gaming & Hotel in Louisville (Race and Sports Book)
- Ellis Park Racing & Gaming in Henderson (Race and Sports Book)
- Newport Racing & Gaming in Newport (Race and Sports Book)
- Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel in Oak Grove (Race and Sports Book)
- The Mint Gaming Halls in Bowling Green and Corbin (DraftKings)
- Red Mile Gaming in Lexington (Caesars)
- Turfway Park Racing and Gaming in Florence (Race and Sports Book)
Later in the fall, BetMGM plans to open an in-person sportsbook at Sandy’s Racing and Gaming in Ashland. Churchill Downs Race and Sports Books will also open eventually at Derby City Gaming in downtown Louisville and Ellis Park in Owensboro.
What sports can you bet on?
Last week, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved an initial sports catalog. It includes most major international sports leagues and events.
Kentuckians can also wager on collegiate events, including NCAA football betting.
According to Hans Stokke, KHRC Director of Sports Wagering, a more robust catalog could be available when online sports betting launches.
Who can bet in Kentucky?
Kentucky sports betting legislation set the legal age at 18 years old, in line with the state’s horse racing laws. Most Kentucky sportsbooks, however, will honor the more common US legal betting age of 21 years old.
Exceptions include bet365 and DraftKings, which said they would go with the Kentucky law. Likewise, Churchill Downs’s in-person sportsbooks will also be 18 and over.
What kind of bets can be made in Kentucky?
Along with the sports catalog, the KHRC approved bet types.
Kentuckians will be able to place:
- Same-game parlays
- Spreads
- Over-unders (totals)
- Moneylines
- Teasers
- Parlays
- Pools
- In-play bets
- Prop bets
Online sports betting on its way
While the launch is still weeks away, Kentuckians can register with online sportsbooks.
As of today, bettors can also begin funding their online accounts. The following online sportsbooks will be live this fall:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- Circa Sports
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel
- ESPN Bet
How Kentucky sports betting got here
After multiple years of proposed legislation, Kentucky legislators pushed sports betting over the line in 2023. With Beshear’s signature, regulators began a rapid push to launch by the NFL season.
By June, the KHRC announced it was developing its regulations based on various legal states and would have them ready by early July. The commission approved emergency regulations July 10, setting up the September debut.
In August, Beshear laid out a timeline for critical dates while the KHRC approved the first slate of operators.
