The Kentucky sports betting launch is almost here. Gov. Andy Beshear has provided a timeline of key dates leading up to and after the launch. The biggest news to come from the updated timeline is that Kentucky sports bettors who want to be ready for either launch can register an account with any approved mobile applications starting at 6 a.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 28.
That is plenty of time to be ready before Kentucky online sports betting goes live on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 6 a.m. ET. Gov. Beshar also announced that retail sports betting will open at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 7.
“The countdown is on,” Gov. Beshear said. “We are just three weeks away from sports wagering in Kentucky. We are ready to deliver the quality entertainment experience Kentuckians asked for, while bringing money to the state to support pensions and free up funds that can be used to build a better Kentucky.”
Kentucky Sports Betting Timeline
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), which is in charge of regulating Kentucky Sports Betting, opted for a tiered implementation of the Kentucky sports betting launch. Many other states also rolled out sports betting in tiers, with brick-and-mortar betting starting before mobile. Starting with retail betting allows regulators to test policies and procedures before a full rollout with mobile betting.
“The KHRC is excited to open sports wagering and is working efficiently to meet the necessary deadlines. This is a careful process dedicated to wagering integrity and protecting bettors in the state of Kentucky,” KHRC Chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz said.
Here are the key dates as laid out by Gov. Beshear:
- Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1:30 p.m. ET: KHRC will vote on license applications to determine which retail facilities and mobile apps with be approved for use.
- Monday, Aug. 28, 6 a.m. ET: Kentucky sports bettors can begin registering with the approved mobile sports betting apps.
- Thursday, Sept. 7, 6 a.m. ET: Kentucky sports bettors can deposit money into their mobile accounts.
- Thursday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. ET: Kentuckians can begin placing in-person wagers at licensed brick-and-mortar sports betting facilities.
- Thursday, Sept. 28, 6 a.m. ET: Kentuckians can start placing wagers on mobile sports betting apps.
Sports Betting Operators Seeking Licenses in Kentucky
On Aug. 10, the KHRC released a list of the retail and mobile sports betting operators seeking licenses in the state.
They received applications from seven of the state’s licensed racetracks:
- Churchill Downs (FanDuel)
- Cumberland Run
- Ellis Park
- Oak Grover Gaming and Racing
- The Red Mile (Caesars)
- Sandy’s Gaming and Racing (BetMGM)
- Turfway Park
Of the mobile sportsbook operators that applied, the KHRC announced:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Circa
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Penn Sports Interactive (now ESPN Bet)
Kentucky Sports Betting Revenue Projections
The KHRC estimates that sports betting will generate an estimated $23 million per year in revenue increases to be designated for the Kentucky permanent pension fund and 2.5% to problem gaming assistance.
Kentucky established an excise tax on sports wagering that is 9.75% on adjusted gross revenues on wagers made at a licensed brick-and-mortar facility and a 14.25% tax on mobile wagers.
