All Sports Betting Partnerships Have Been Approved As Kentucky Readies for First Sports Bet

• Gov. Andy Beshear is set to make the first Kentucky sports bet on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m.
• The governor will make the bet at Churchill Downs Racetrack
• All partnerships between operators and licensed tracks have been revealed

In just a little more than two weeks Gov. Andy Beshear (D) will officially kick off Kentucky sports betting.

The governor and Churchill Downs Inc. announced today that Beshear will place the state’s first sports bet at Churchill Downs Racetrack on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. to officially launch sports betting in the commonwealth.

Beshear has not revealed what his first bet will be.

First Licenses Approved, Retail Betting Partnerships Announced

Churchill Downs Racetrack will feature a brick-and-mortar sportsbook with 15 sports betting kiosks, a 168-square-foot video screen, and 20 large format televisions when it opens the space in early September.

“CDI is excited to bring our experience operating retail sports wagering experiences to Kentucky with many thanks to the Kentucky General Assembly, Governor Beshear, the KHRC and the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet for their efforts in making this a reality,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “Sports betting as a tourism and economic development opportunity will further strengthen the state’s signature equine industry by bringing new guests into our live and historical racing venues.”

Churchill Downs Racetrack will allow those who are 18-or-older to enter its race and sportsbook to place bets. The other five licensed Churchill Downs Inc. tracks are 21 and older.

All retail sports betting partnerships have been announced between tracks and operators as well. Kambi will operate retail sportsbooks for Churchill Downs, Churchill Downs’ satellite location Derby City Gaming, Ellis Park Henderson, Turfway Park, and Oak Grove.

DraftKings will operate the retail sportsbook at Cumberland Run and its satellite locations, Caesars will run the Red Mile’s retail sportsbook, and BetMGM will run Sandy’s Gaming and Racing.

Online Sports Betting Partnerships Announced

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission yesterday unanimously approved the first eight initial online sports betting operators for Kentucky sports betting. The following operators received approval of their temporary sports betting service provider licenses. If the operators meet certain conditions, the temporary licenses will be eligible to become permanent licenses.

• DraftKings Kentucky
• FanDuel Kentucky
• BetMGM Kentucky
• Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky
• Bet365 Kentucky
• Circa Sports
• PENN Sports Interactive (ESPN BET)
• Fanatics Sportsbook

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission also unveiled a complete list of partnerships between the online sports betting operators and licensed tracks. They are as follows:

• DraftKings (Cumberland Run and its satellite location)
• FanDuel (Turfway Park and its satellite location, Newport Racing and Gaming)
• BetMGM (Sandy’s Gaming and Racing)
• Caesars Sportsbook (The Red Mile)
• Bet365 (Sandy’s Gaming and Racing)
• Circa Sports (Cumberland Run and its satellite location)
• PENN Sports Interactive (Ellis Park Henderson and Owensboro)
• Fanatics Sportsbook (Oak Grove)

DraftKings announced it will allow those who are 18 and older to use its online sports betting app.

“DraftKings is committed to following the age restrictions set forth by each individual jurisdiction,” said Griffin Finan, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, DraftKings.