UPDATED: Kentucky Retail Sports Betting Is Now Live

• Kentucky is now the 35th state in the country to have live sports betting
• Nine licensed racetracks will offer sports betting today
• Online sports betting will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 28

Welcome, Kentucky sports betting, to the national party.

Kentucky became the 35th state in the country this morning to offer legalized sports betting, as the commonwealth opened nine brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at licensed racetracks throughout the state at 10 a.m.

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) placed the first bet in the state this morning at Churchill Downs. The governor placed a $20 parlay on NCAA football for the season over for wins by the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky, plus the under for wins by Duke.

Beshear plans to place a second bet today at 1:30 p.m. at Lexington’s Red Mile.

Kentucky will launch online sports betting on Thursday, Sept. 28.

We’ll update this post throughout the day.

Kentucky Brick-and-Mortar Sports Betting Now Open

Beshear described the sports betting launch as a “win-win” for Kentuckians.

“Today is a great day to celebrate and have a little bit of fun doing so,” Beshear said in a press release. “It has taken many years to get here, but sports wagering is finally a reality in Kentucky. 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.”

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman placed a bet at an opening event at North Kentucky’s Turfway Park, placing $20 on the Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl.

“Sports wagering will benefit all Kentuckians,” Coleman said. “It means more revenue for economic development, disaster relief and infrastructure projects, like new roads, bridges and clean water. It means more money for our public schools and support for the pensions of firefighters, public servants, teachers and law enforcement officers. Simply put, sports wagering is helping us build a better Kentucky for everyone.”

The follow locations are will be offering brick-and-mortar sports betting today:

• Churchill Downs
• Derby City Gaming
• Ellis Park in Henderson
• Newport Racing and Gaming
• The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run in Corbin
• The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run in Williamsburg
• Oak Grove
• Red Mile
• Turfway Park

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear makes first ever sports bet in Kentucky. @WLKY pic.twitter.com/knBVxwXQ6J

— Fred Cowgill WLKY (@FredCowgillWLKY) September 7, 2023

Churchill Downs is currently the only sportsbook to allow customers who are 18, the legal age to participate in Kentucky sports betting. The eight other sportsbooks are limiting customers to those who are 21-and-older.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission also issued temporary facility licenses to three locations that have yet to open. Derby City Gaming, Ellis Park in Owensboro, and Sandy’s Gaming and Racing will open at a future date.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved the state’s initial sports betting catalogue last week.

The Kentucky sports betting catalogue will allow bets on eSports, Japan Nippon Professional Baseball, FIBA sanctioned basketball events, and cycling events sanctioned by the Union Cycliste International.

Other markets include:

• XFL
• USFL
• Canadian Football League
• LIV Golf
• Netball (ANZ Premiership and Super Netball)
• Sailing (Americas Cup)
• X Games
• Winter and Summer Olympics
• Major League Eating Sanctioned Events
• Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Years in the Making

Kentucky legislators spent nearly two years trying to pass sports betting in the state, finally getting a bill across the finish line this past March. The Kentucky Senate approved Rep. Michael Meredith’s (R-19) sports betting bill, HB 551, by a vote of 25-12. It needed a three-fifths majority to be approved. The House of Representative approved the bill earlier in the month.

Gov. Beshear only needed one day before he signed the bill into law.

Nearly every single state surrounding Kentucky offers sports betting, Beshear said, and it was time to bring the industry to the Bluegrass state.

“For years I believed it was time for Kentucky to join so many other states and pass sports betting…This industry will bring new jobs, tourism, and growth. I am proud today that I am going to sign it into law,” he said.

Fiscal estimates show legalized sports betting could lead to $23 million annually for Kentucky, but those estimates are likely low, Sen. Majority Leader Damon Thayer (R-17), when the bill was approved.