Horse tracks, OTBs, and historical horse racing facilities across Kentucky on Thursday can begin taking bets as early as 6 a.m. local time, and when they do, Kentucky will become the fourth state this year to go live after Ohio, Massachusetts, and Nebraska.
Kentucky’s new law allows for retail and digital betting, with the latter starting later in the month.
Thursday’s launch will be retail only at nine venues across the state, including at the fabled Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville. The company will open five brick-and-mortar locations across the state, after adding kiosks to existing bar and simulcast areas in its race books and HHR parlors.
The company will have “Bet & Jet” parking at its HHR facilities, allowing customers easy parking for up to 15 minutes to drop in and place a wager. Additional CDI locations are in the works.
On the digital side, operators were allowed to begin offering mobile sign-up Aug. 28, a month in advance of launch.
Each of the state’s seven tracks can have up to three digital partners. Some operators are already offering pre-launch specials, including bet365‘s $10 per touchdown on the Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers Sept. 28 game for new customers signing up. After launch, new customers will also be eligible to get up to $365 in bonus bets for a $1 bet.
Among other promotions, DraftKings is offering $200 in bonus bets to new customers ahead of launch, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook are offering $100 in digital bonus bets (four $25 bets) to new customers ahead of launch, and FanDuel is offering $100 in bonus bets plus a $100 DirecTV offer.
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Circa Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, and PENN Sports Interactive haven’t yet offered sign-ups. The Churchill Downs-branded platform, which will be powered by Kambi, also is not yet available for registration.
Here’s a look at what to expect at the brick-and-mortar sportsbooks starting Thursday morning.
Where: Inside the Aristides Lounge on the second floor of the clubhouse in Louisville.
Opening day plan: Gov. Andy Beshear is scheduled to place the first bet as part of a grand opening at 10 a.m. The sportsbook will be open to the public from 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Thursday.
What’s inside: The sportsbook at the famed racetrack will be outfitted with 15 kiosks, a 168-square-foot video screen, and 20 90-inch televisions. There will also be six betting windows, and the space can accommodate up to 280 customers. The sportsbook will open at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday-Sunday and remain open as late as 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Kambi will run the back end.
Digital platform: Kambi
Where: 4520 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, KY 40213
Opening day plan: Former Louisville quarterback Chris Redman is scheduled to place the first bet at 10 a.m. Thursday, to be joined by Miss Kentucky 2023 for the opening event. Redman will have his Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl ring and will be signing autographs.
What’s inside: The new book will have 15 kiosks, a 300-square-foot video screen, and 12 big TVs. Kiosks will be located in the Sports & Entertainment Bar as well as throughout the property. The sportsbook at this CDI property will also use the Kambi platform. The sportsbook will be open around the clock from Friday to Monday morning and all hours except 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
Digital platform: TBA
Where: 3300 Highway 41 N, Henderson, KY 42420
Opening day plan: TBA
What’s inside: This CDI satellite location will have kiosks located in the Dade Park Bar & Grill and throughout the property.
Digital partner: Barstool Sportsbook
Address: 1723 Monmouth St., Newport, KY 41071
Opening day plan: TBA
What’s inside: This Churchill Downs Inc. OTB sportsbook will have 10 kiosks spread throughout the property, with 20 oversized televisions. Bets of up to $3,000 will be accepted at the kiosks, and larger bets can be placed at the cashier’s window.
Digital platform: TBA
Address: 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262
Opening day plan: TBA
What’s inside: This Churchill Downs Inc.-owned sportsbook will be outfitted with 20 kiosks around the property, a 300-square-foot video screen, and eight oversized televisions.
Digital platform: Fanatics
Address:777 Winners Lane, Corbin, KY 40701
Opening day plan: Corbin Mayor Susie Razmus is set to place the first bet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, with the public able to bet immediately after. The sportsbook will be open from 10 a.m.-midnight daily.
What’s inside: The HHR facility, which also has a live racetrack, will be a DraftKings-branded sportsbook and will have two kiosks and one teller station. There are 25 televisions around the property.
Digital platform: DraftKings
Address: 244 Penny Lane, Williamsburg, KY 40769
Opening day plan: Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison will place the first bet between 12:30-1 p.m. Thursday and live betting will open immediately after. The sportsbook will be open from 9 a.m.-5 a.m. daily.
What’s inside: The larger of the two Mint properties will also feature a DraftKings-branded sportsbook. A total of six kiosks and one teller window will be available around the property, and there are 100 televisions available.
Digital platform: TBA
Address: 1200 Red Mile Road, Lexington, KY 40504
Opening day plan: The sportsbook will open for the first bet at 10 a.m. Thursday, and Gov. Andy Beshear is scheduled later in the day to make a ceremonial bet and participate in a ribbon cutting.
What’s inside: The two-story space will have a “state-of-the-art Las Vegas-style sportsbook” with five teller windows, elevated bar, and wall-to-wall flat-screen televisions, according to Caesars. There will also be 14 self-service betting kiosks around the sportsbook. The second floor will have an “elevated atmosphere” with comfortable seating for bigger events while including views of the track. The venue will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-midnight.
Digital platform: Caesars Sportsbook
Address: Turfway Park, 7500 Turfway Road, Florence, KY 41042
Opening day plan: Two opening-day ceremonies are planned, one each with Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, who championed wagering in the state legislature. First bets from the public can be placed as early as 10:05 a.m. Thursday. The sportsbook will be open around the clock on weekends, beginning at 9 a.m. on Fridays through Monday morning at 4 a.m., and then is open the rest of the week from 9 a.m.-4 a.m.
What’s inside: The two-story sportsbook will have 15 kiosks, and in the Bourbon & Brew restaurant, patrons will find a 300-square-foot video screen, 16 big TVs, and a ticker. Customers can bet up to $3,000 on a kiosk or place larger bets at the cashier’s window. The sportsbook will host a watch party Sunday, when the Cincinnati Bengals kick off the NFL season at the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m.
Digital platform: FanDuel
Coming in the future …
Where: 401 West Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Opening day: TBA
What’s inside: Bets will be taken via kiosk at the First Turn Sports Bar as well as at kiosks around the property, which is still being built out. The sportsbook at this CDI property will use the Kambi platform.
Digital platform: TBA
Address: 10699 U.S. 60 Ashland, KY 41102
Opening day plan: Late October
What’s inside: BetMGM is building out a 5,200-square-foot sportsbook, with plans to open in late October.
Digital platform: BetMGM
