One of the biggest players in U.S. sports betting is coming to Kentucky.
Caesars Sportsbook on Tuesday, May 16, announced that it has gained market access to Kentucky when the state launches sports betting at a date to be determined.
Kentucky sports betting goes into law on June 28, but sports betting apps won’t launch right away. Last month, Gov. Andy Beshear said the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is working on sports betting regulations with a goal of launching in time for football season.
Caesars Sportsbook has gained access to Kentucky via agreements with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming & Racing in Lexington.
More Details on the Caesars Partnerships
In addition to launching its mobile betting app, Caesars plans to open the only retail sportsbook in Central Kentucky at Red Mile. Caesars will be the official sports betting partner of the two tracks, and its offerings will include on-track hospitality and VIP experiences.
“Keeneland and Red Mile are iconic horse racing venues with an important legacy in the state of Kentucky,” President of Caesars Digital Eric Hession said. “Customers in the region have long enjoyed our world-class Caesars destinations and, most recently, our horse racing wagering app, Caesars Racebook.”
Caesars already had a partnership with the New York Racing Association, which allows the company to offer its Caesars Racebook app, which is already active in Kentucky.
Other Sportsbooks Coming to Kentucky
Although Caesars is the only sportsbook to confirm it will launch in Kentucky, it is safe to assume the other big-name sportsbooks will follow suit in the coming months. It is a virtual lock that DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM will launch in the Bluegrass State.
Though it may not be official yet, Churchill Downs Inc., executives said in a recent earnings call that they have lined up a partnership with FanDuel.
As many as 27 sportsbook operators will be allowed to launch in Kentucky, which opens the door for smaller sportsbooks to make a name for themselves. The Kentucky sports betting law allows for each of the state’s nine horse racing tracks to partner with up to three online sportsbooks apiece.
In addition to Keeneland, Red Mile, and Churchill Downs, the other racetracks in Kentucky that will be allowed to offer sports betting are Cumberland Run, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Oak Grove Racing and Gaming, Revolutionary Racing, and Turfway Park.
