FanDuel Partnering with Churchill Downs for Kentucky Sports Betting Access

• The sports betting operator confirmed it has partnered with Churchill Downs for Kentucky access
• It is the second confirmed sports betting operator in Kentucky
• Kentucky sports betting can have a maximum of 27 online sports betting operators

FanDuel Kentucky is partnering with the most famous horse racing track in America for its sports betting access.

A FanDuel representative confirmed with Sports Betting Dime today that the sports betting operator has partnered with Churchill Downs for market access in the Bluegrass State.

It’s the second confirmed sports betting operator in Kentucky, with Caesars Sportsbook previously agreeing to a partnership with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming and Racing in Lexington for market access for online and retail sports betting.

FanDuel Coming to Kentucky

A FanDuel spokesperson confirmed the sports betting operator will partner with Churchill Downs for Kentucky sports betting market access. The spokesperson said the operator has made no additional announcements about future Kentucky sports betting plans and has no further comment at this time.

In April, Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen spoke with WDRB.com and said the famous track would be partnering with FanDuel Kentucky for its sports betting product.

“We have entered into contracts to provide certain online wagering platforms including FanDuel access to the Kentucky market in connection with which we receive a revenue stream,” Carstanjen said.

However, no confirmation of the deal was provided by FanDuel until now.

The Kentucky sports betting bill legalizes retail sports betting at licensed state horse tracks, such as Churchill Downs, as well as online sports betting throughout the state. Each licensed horse track (of which there are nine in the state) will be eligible to partner with up to three online sports betting skins, allowing for a maximum of 27 operators in Kentucky.

The 27 maximum operators will allow for a mix of the more established online sports betting operators as well as smaller operators hoping to get into the market.

FanDuel is joined by Caesars Sportsbook as the only two confirmed books so far in the state. Caesars’ agreement also includes plans to open the first brick-and-mortar retail sportsbook location in central Kentucky.

As part of the deal, Caesars Sportsbook will be an official sports betting partner of Keeneland and Red Mile. Caesars will also operate as an on-premise brick-and-mortar sportsbook at Red Mile.

Room for 25 Additional Operators

The Kentucky sports betting bill allows for 27 total online sports betting operators. FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbook have deals in place, but who else can we expect to see in Kentucky?

Kentucky sports bettors can also expect to see DraftKings Kentucky in the Bluegrass state when sports betting goes live later this year. DraftKings has aggressively entered new sports betting markets and certainly has its eyes on a first-wave Kentucky sports betting license.

Betr CEO Joey Levy recently told Sports Betting Dime that the micro-betting specialist will explore opportunities to enter Kentucky, and North Carolina as well.