Kentucky approves temporary sports wagering licenses
23 Aug 2023
“The countdown continues as we move closer to sports wagering with retail locations opening in just 16 days,” said Governor Beshear. “Thank you to the KHRC commissioners for their dedication to getting this done right and getting it done in time for the opening of the NFL season.”
“We are excited to open sports wagering on our target date as we continue working through this careful process dedicated to wagering integrity and protecting bettors in the state of Kentucky,” said KHRC Chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz.
The following Kentucky racetracks and their satellite facilities were approved to open a sportsbook with a planned retail opening on Thursday, 7 September:
- Churchill Downs, Louisville
- Derby City Gaming, Louisville
- Ellis Park, Henderson
- The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run, Corbin
- The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland, Williamsburg
- Newport Racing and Gaming, Newport
- Oak Grove Gaming and Racing, Oak Grove
- The Red Mile, Lexington
- Turfway Park, Florence
- Derby City Gaming, coming soon to downtown Louisville
- Ellis Park, coming soon to Owensboro
- Sandy’s Gaming and Racing, coming soon to Ashland
- bet365 Sportsbook & Racebook
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Circa Sports
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Penn Sports Interactive
House Bill 551 established a new excise tax on sports wagering: 9.75% on the adjusted gross revenues on wagers made at a licensed facility and 14.25% on wagers placed online or on a smart phone.
Last week, Governor Beshear announced a timeline for sports wagering to open in Kentucky. That timeline now moves closer to full implementation. Key dates for Kentuckians to remember include:
- Monday, 28 August, at 6 a.m. EDT: Kentuckians can pre-register an account with approved mobile applications. Allowing pre-registration eases strains on electronic systems that can sometimes happen when many people try to register at once.
- Thursday, 7 September, at 6 a.m. EDT: Wagerers can deposit money into their pre-registered mobile accounts only with approved mobile applications.
- Thursday, 7 September, at 10 a.m. EDT: Wagerers can place an in-person bet at licensed retail facilities.
- Thursday, 28 September, at 6 a.m. EDT: Approved mobile applications can start taking wagers.
On 15 August, Governor Beshear signed an executive order appointing members of the Sports Wagering Advisory Council. The council will advise the full commission and provide additional voices who have direct knowledge of the sports betting industry. Appointed members include:
- Public Protection Cabinet Secretary Ray Perry
- KHRC Deputy Executive Director Waqas Ahmed
- KHRC Commissioner William May
- KHRC Commissioner Tiffany Daniels
- KHRC Commissioner James Edwin Worley
- Jonathan Blue, At-large member
- Joyce Merritt, At-large member
Kentucky approves temporary sports wagering licenses
is republished from iGamingNews.com.