Legal Kentucky sports betting apps are now live, following three weeks of in-person wagering at local sportsbooks.
Seven online Kentucky sports betting apps are taking bets today, with a fresh weekend slate of NFL betting set to begin tonight:
Those operators join in-person sportsbooks across the state that opened September 7.
Here is what you need to know about legal online sports betting in Kentucky:
Which Kentucky sportsbooks are live?
Seven sportsbooks are launching today:
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
Circa Sports is also licensed and plans to launch as soon as possible.
There were more than 60,000 pre-registered online sports betting accounts as of last week, according to Gov. Andy Beshear. People at least 18 years old can bet on DraftKings and bet365. Otherwise, you must be 21 to wager at Kentucky sportsbooks.
What sports can you bet in Kentucky?
Kentucky bettors can bet on most major sports leagues and collegiate events, including NCAA football betting.
The first sports wagering catalog was approved in August.
This month, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission added several more events. Those included Formula 1 auto racing and two new MMA promotions.
What kind of bets are available in Kentucky?
The KHRC also approved various bet types. Kentucky bettors can wager on:
- Spreads
- Over-unders (totals)
- Moneylines
- Parlays
- Same-game parlays
- In-play bets
- Pools
- Prop bets
- Teasers
Kentucky sports betting strong start
Beshear announced last week the in-person sportsbooks had taken approximately $4.5 million in wagers through the first two weeks.
LSR projections suggest Kentucky operators will bring it up to $1 billion by the end of the year. Ultimately, LSR estimates sportsbooks will generate up to $2.9 billion in wagers annually in the Bluegrass State.
While the state has a relatively small population of approximately 4.5 million residents, it likely will affect the legal sports betting states surrounding it.
Kentucky a quick sports betting study
Legislators attempted to legalize sports betting for several years before getting it over the hump and onto Beshear’s desk this year. Following the governor’s signature, regulators worked to launch quickly.
By launching in-person sports wagering in early September following a March signature, Kentucky is one of the fastest states to launch, joining markets like Arizona and Kansas.
With its staggered mobile launch, Kentucky sportsbook operators can expect a boom in handle seen in a similar-size market.
“It has taken many years to get here, but sports wagering is finally a reality in Kentucky,” Beshear said in a statement. “This is a win-win for Kentuckians, who can enjoy a quality entertainment experience and benefit from funds staying right here in our state to help us build a better Kentucky.”
