The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has approved the sports betting catalog for the upcoming market after initial approval by the Sports Wagering Advisory Council. Now that the catalog has been set, Kentucky sportsbooks know what they can and cannot offer for betting. Retail sportsbooks open on Sept. 7, and Kentucky sports betting apps launch on Sept. 28.
Kentucky Sports Betting Catalog Includes Niche Sports
A look at the catalog reveals some interesting additions for Kentucky sportsbooks. While the typical options for betting on the NBA, NFL, MLB, and other major sports are included, more niche wagering events are also allowed.
Kentucky sportsbooks can host odds on the hot dog eating contest, chess, cornhole, indoor football, the X Games, and esports. Users can also wager on the XFL and USFL, bringing multiple football leagues to Kentucky bettors' fingertips.
William May, Chairman of the Kentucky Sports Advisory Council, wrote the following regarding the catalog,
“The inaugural meeting of the Kentucky Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) took place on August 31, 2023. During this gathering, the Council was presented with a recommendation by Hans Stokke, the Director of Sports Wagering at the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), regarding matters concerning sporting events and sport’s governing bodies. Following a thorough evaluation, the Council made a unanimous decision to officially support the accompanying memorandum and the enclosed "Wagering Catalog" designed for sports wagering purposes. Due to the immediate nature of this topic, the Council recommends that the KHRC’s Executive Director approve the Wagering Catalog subject to ratification, in the event that a quorum KHRC’s membership is not able to meet prior to September 7, 2023."
Kentucky Set For Sports Betting Launch
Retail sportsbooks will go live in just one week in the Bluegrass State. The KHRC has approved multiple retail and online sportsbooks to go live on their respective launch dates. Kentucky has now approved both operators and their betting catalog.
Service Provider
Partnering Track
Type of Partnership
Caesars
The Red Mile
Retail and Mobile
Kambi
Churchill Downs, Churchill Downs’ satellite location, Derby City Gaming, Ellis Park Henderson, Turfway Park, Oak Grove
Retail
Fanatics
Oak Grove
Mobile
FanDuel
Turfway Park, and its satellite location, Newport Racing and Gaming
Mobile
DraftKings
Cumberland Run and its satellite location
Retail and Mobile
PENN (ESPN BET)
Ellis Park Henderson and Owensboro
Mobile
BetMGM
Sandy’s Gaming and Racing
Retail and Mobile
Circa Sports
Cumberland Run and its satellite location
Mobile
Bet365
Sandy’s Gaming and Racing
Mobile
With these approvals, bettors can begin seeing the betting market formulate. Kentucky is poised to be a major market once it launches. The variety of sports betting options allowed at local sportsbooks shows why Kentucky will stand out in the U.S. market.
Kentucky Sports Betting Pre-Launch Offers
Some of the best betting sites have already gone live with pre-launch offers in Kentucky. Sign up below to claim your offers at Kentucky sportsbooks.
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