LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear joined the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and lawmakers to announce that Kentuckians can make their first-ever sports bets in Kentucky in less than 60 days.
The announcement followed the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting, where members unanimously approved emergency administrative regulations governing sports wagering. The Governor then immediately signed the regulations at the Red Mile, a gaming and racing venue eligible to apply to be a sports betting location. To see the other facilities eligible to apply, click here.
Retail locations are set to open Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, just in time for the NFL kick-off, tailgating and the college football season, followed by mobile applications Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.
“This is a historic day for our commonwealth – sports wagering will open for the first time in Kentucky in less than 60 days,” said Gov. Beshear. “Bringing sports wagering to the state not only gives Kentuckians a much-anticipated new form of entertainment but also brings money to the state to support pensions, freeing up money that can be used to build a better Kentucky through the funding of education, economic development, disaster recovery and other necessary projects, like providing cleaner water, building roads and high-speed internet.”
After years of pushing to pass sports betting, on March 31, 2023, Gov. Beshear signed bipartisan legislation – House Bill 551 – legalizing sports wagering in Kentucky. Since then, the commission has met with representatives in states that have recently launched sports wagering and industry experts to learn from best practices and shared experiences. Kentucky chose a tiered implementation date, which was used in multiple states and allowed for testing of policy and procedure before the full rollout that will include mobile applications.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced hiring additional staff to prepare for the sports wagering launch in May. The commission is in the process of filling 14 new positions. Job titles range from management to auditing and compliance. Many positions have been filled, including the director of sports wagering, with others still progressing through the hiring process.
Opening ProcessStarting Tuesday, July 11, each of Kentucky’s licensed horseracing facilities can apply for a retail sportsbook at their main location or at a licensed satellite location. The state anticipates each facility opening a retail location, and many will be ready to launch on Sept. 7.
Each licensed facility will also be permitted to partner with up to three marketing platforms for mobile wagering, to be launched on Sept. 28.
Today’s regulations were signed as emergency regulations which allows them to take effect immediately after being filed with the Legislative Research Commission. An ordinary regulation was filed simultaneously, including a period of public comment and legislative review.
Today’s regulations will be posted at KHRC.ky.gov. Information on sports wagering jobs is available on the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet’s website.
