Kentucky Reports Millions Over First Two Weeks of Retail Sports Betting

• More than $4 million has been bet at Kentucky sportsbooks since the Sept. 7 launch
• 60,000 online sports betting accounts have been registered
• Online sports betting will launch on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 6 a.m.

Kentucky sports betting launched two weeks ago and the commonwealth is already reporting more than $4 million bet across state sportsbooks.

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced more than $4.5 million in retail sports betting since the Sept. 7 brick-and-mortar launch.

“This is a strong number that certainly reflects the excitement Kentuckians have for the opening of sports wagering,” Gov. Beshear said in a press release. “With college football and the NFL season underway, plus the launch of mobile wagering, we expect that number will grow significantly.

Excitement for Online Sports Betting Growing

Kentucky online sports betting is set to launch on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 6 a.m. Pre-registration for online sports betting accounts has been open for several weeks, leading to more than 60,000 Kentucky online sports betting accounts being opened so far.

It’s likely the registered account number is even higher, Beshear noted, as several of the sports betting licensees have not reported their registration numbers.

“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,” he said.

Seven online sports betting operators will be ready to launch next week. The following apps will be ready to go on Thursday, Sept. 28, and 6 a.m.:

• Bet365 Kentucky
• BetMGM Kentucky
• Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky
• DraftKings Kentucky
• FanDuel Kentucky
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• Barstool Sportsbook (transitioning to ESPN BET later in the year)

Circa Sports has also been licensed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and plans to launch later this year.

Sports Betting Catalogue Finalized

Yesterday, the Kentucky Sports Wagering Advisory Council approved several additional events for the Kentucky sports betting catalogue in preparation for next week’s launch.

Hans Stokke, director of sports betting for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, introduced five new sports betting markets to the commonwealth’s sports betting catalogue. They were as follows:

• Formula 1 Racing
• National Rugby League in Australia
• Professional Fighter’s League MMA
• Bellator MMA
• Universal Tennis League

The advisory council unanimously approved the events be added to the full catalogue.

The advisory council approved the initial sports betting catalogue earlier this month, which  includes markets such as the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, WNBA, and NCAA baseball, softball, basketball, football and hockey. The only mixed martial art events allowed in the catalogue will be UFC sanctioned fights.

It allows single game bets, teaser bets, parlays, over-under bets, moneyline bets, pools, in-game wagering, in-play bets, prop bets, and straight bets.

Betting on awards shows and unsanctioned events will not be permitted.

The State’s Extensive Sports Betting Catalogue

The Kentucky sports betting catalogue currently allows 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