First Batch of Kentucky Online Sports Betting Licenses Approved, DraftKings Announces Partner

• The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved eight temporary online sports betting operator licenses
• The commission also approved seven retail sports betting licenses
• Kentucky online sports betting is set to launch on Thursday, Sept. 28

The Kentucky sports betting market is starting to take shape, as the first eight online sports betting operators have been approved.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission today unanimously approved the first eight temporary online sports betting operators and the first seven licensed racetracks in the state to offer sports betting.

The Deputy Director of the KHRC said additional sports betting service provider applications could be submitted in the near future.

Eight Operators Set for Sports Betting

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission today 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
• PENN Sports Interactive (ESPN BET)
• Fanatics Sportsbook

It’s the first approved state for PENN Sports Interactive, which will do business as ESPN BET, since its partnership with ESPN was announced two weeks ago.

Fanatics Sportsbook was not included by the KHRC during its initial announcement of operators. They were included on the list discussed during the meeting today and  approved for a temporary license. A Fanatics Sportsbook representative confirmed the operator has partnered with Oak Grove Racing and Gaming.

The KHRC also approved temporary licenses for sports wagering operators for seven of the state’s licensed racetracks:

• Churchill Downs, Louisville
• Cumberland Run, coming soon to Corbin
• Ellis Park, Henderson
• Oak Grove Gaming and Racing, Oak Grove
• The Red Mile, Lexington
• Sandy’s Gaming and Racing, coming soon to Ashland
• Turfway Park, Florence

DraftKings Reveals Sports Betting Partnership

BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel all have announced Kentucky sports betting market access agreements. DraftKings today revealed it will partner with ECL Corbin, which operates Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland and Cumberland Run, to operate in the commonwealth.

“Together with the Corbin properties, we’re excited to bring our premier sports betting experience to yet another state and its sports fans,” said Matt Kalish, President, DraftKings North America, in a press release. “We want to thank the Kentucky General Assembly for passing legislation and Governor Andy Beshear for his support of sports wagering as we look forward to launching our sportsbook product during a busy football season, pending licensure and regulatory approvals.”

The launch will be DraftKings 22nd live state for online sports betting and 24th overall for retail sports betting.

DraftKings also noted that it will allow users who are 18, the legal sports betting age in Kentucky, to access and bet through its 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.

BetMGM announced a partnership with Revolutionary Racing Kentucky (RRKY) earlier this week and plan to launch on Thursday, Sept. 28. BetMGM is also planning to open a 5,200 square-foot brick-and-mortar sportsbook at Sandy’s Racing and Gaming, a $75 million gaming and entertainment facility in Ashland.

Caesars  announced agreements with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming and Racing in Lexington to grant Caesars Sportsbook market access for online sports betting. The 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.

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.

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