Legal sports gambling is coming to Kentucky on September 7th, with options for betting in person, on the internet or using a sportsbook app on mobile devices. Kentucky sportsbooks will open next Thursday for in-person wagering, with online and mobile books starting up on September 28th.
Retail Sportsbooks At Kentucky Racetracks
- Churchill Downs In Louisville, KY
- Ellis Park Racing & Gaming In Henderson, KY
- Red Mile Gaming & Racing In Lexington, KY
- Turfway Park Racing & Gaming In Florence, KY
Although the launch date is still over a week away, players in Kentucky can register for sports betting sites right now. BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings have all been approved for sportsbook licenses by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and bettors are able to register for accounts in advance.
There are also numerous sports betting bonuses that are being extended to KY-based clientele in an effort to siphon business away from their competitors. Competition in the sports betting market is good for gamblers because each book has its own formula for creating odds.
Multiple outlets create an environment where differentials in betting lines for the same game or event are offered, which allows for shopping around to find the best deal.
Minimum Sports Gambling Age
Gambling laws in Kentucky have set the minimum age to bet on sports at 18 years old. Most legal sports betting states feature a minimum gambling age of 21 to match the age to drink alcohol, as most venues hold liquor licenses.
KY opted for 18+ sportsbooks because that is the age that has been set for betting on horse racing at racebooks. Sportsbooks will be constructed alongside racebooks at the state’s major tracks, so it made sense to keep the betting age the same across the board.
The Bluegrass State will become the 8th US Territory to allow 18 and older gamblers to partake in local sports betting.
18+ Sports Gambling States And Territories
- Kentucky
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Washington, D.C.
- Wyoming
The opening date of 9/7/23 was not chosen randomly. Lawmakers were hopeful that licenses could be issued in time for NFL betting when the opening game of the season kicks off. However, online gambling in KY will not begin in time for Kentucky or Louisville’s first games of the college football schedule.
The biggest betting event each year is the Super Bowl. The September launch will grant local books over five months of preparation for Super Bowl betting next February,
Also notable is a lack of any NCAA betting exceptions. Some states have placed prohibitions on betting on teams associated with local colleges and universities, and others have installed a simple ban on prop bets.
Local players can bet on the Kentucky Wildcats or Louisville Cardinals for any sport popular enough to generate odds.