Kentucky Sports Betting Regulations Likely Approved by Early July

• A special meeting has been called by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for early July
• The commission will likely review and approve the state’s sports betting rules and regulations at this meeting
• KHRC Chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz said state regulators have met with other state regulators to discuss best practices

Kentucky sports betting rules and regulations are likely to be reviewed and approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission during an early July meeting, according to the commission’s chairman.

Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) Chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz reported today that the KHRC will call a special meeting in early July for the sole purpose of reviewing the state’s sports betting rules and regulations.

“We will continue to provide updates on the progress as available, but needless to say this is an exciting time in the commonwealth,” Rabinowitz said.

Rules and Regulations by July, Licensing After?

According to the approved KY sports betting bill,  the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has six months starting June 28 to determine regulations and licensing processes for the state. It will easily reach that benchmark if the regulations are approved in early July.

Approving the Kentucky sports betting rules and regulations is a big step for state regulators and their goal of launching brick-and-mortar sports betting by the start of the NFL season. In order to ensure success for the Bluegrass State, Rabinowitz said commission members and legal counsel have met with sports betting regulators from Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, and Massachusetts to ensure best practices are met.

“They have provided valuable insights,” Rabinowitz said of the state regulator interviews.

Once the commission completes the regulations, the state’s nine racetracks can begin applying for sports betting licenses. The commission will have to review the license applications, award the applications, ensure that both retail and online sportsbooks reach regulatory compliance, and then give the green light to begin sports betting.

In order to meet the necessary manpower to launch sports betting in the state, Rabinowitz said 14 employees will be hired by the commission.

Sen. Majority Leader Damon Thayer (R-17) told Sports Betting Dime that sports betting rules are “making good progress.”

“From what I am told, sports betting rules are making good progress and I remain hopeful that its planned launch this fall is on target,” he said.

Kentucky Sports Betting Launch by Football Season?

Thayer and Gov. Andy Beshear (D) have both shared their optimism that brick-and-mortar sports betting will begin in the state by the start of the football season.

According to the Madison Courier, Beshear is hoping to see Kentucky sports betting launch by September in time for the next NFL season.

Beshear shared his hopes for a September launch date during a May press conference. The Kentucky governor said the state would utilize “best practices” from other states that have launched sports betting to ensure a smooth and quick start.

“The people are really excited about this, so we want to get it up and going as quickly as we can but also to do it right,” Beshear said at his weekly news conference, according to the Madison Courier. He specifically stated wanting to see sports betting up and running “before the first NFL game.”

College football officially kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, and the NFL kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Thayer previously said online sports betting is likely to begin later in 2023, with a “worst case scenario” launch of January 2024.

KY Sports Betting Bill Details

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.