Bettors will have a few new options to wager on as online Kentucky sports betting kicks off next week.
On Thursday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Sports Wagering Advisory Council approved five new sporting events for Kentucky sports betting. The additions to the sports wagering catalog come as online sports betting is set to debut September 28.
In-person sports betting began September 7. The KHRC approved the initial sports betting catalog in August.
What’s new for Kentucky sports betting?
The five new additions include a major auto racing circuit and two MMA promoters.
The new sporting events are:
- Formula 1
- National Rugby League in Australia
- Professional Fighters League
- Bellator MMA
- Universal Tennis League
Betting on minors in Kentucky?
Advisory Council member William May wanted clarity on the potential of betting on minors in individual sports like golf and tennis.
KHRC Director of Sports Wagering Hans Stokke said individual sports do not violate age prohibitions.
“The limitations for age restrictions for regulations pertain to team events where more than half of the team is under 18,” Stokke said. “Individual sports, where minors are competing in professional context, is permissible.”
Adds to robust sports betting catalog
The KHRC based its initial catalog on other jurisdictions. It includes most major US and international leagues and events, including NFL betting, which began the same day Kentucky sports betting started.
The catalog does not include dog and horse racing and events not considered sports, like the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards. It also does not allow market types of injuries and penalties.
As in August, Stokke said Thursday the KHRC can always add additional events.
Kentucky sports betting underway
In-person sportsbooks opened across Kentucky earlier this month. That includes six sportsbook at Churchill Downs-owned facilities in the Bluegrass State.
The in-person sportsbooks have accepted approximately $4.5 million in bets through the first two weeks, according to a Thursday release from Gov. Andy Beshear. The amount wagered is poised to jump significantly with online sportsbooks.
Online sportsbooks set to launch on or around the September 28 go-live date for online sports betting include:
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Circa Sports
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
