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The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) is sifting through applications for mobile sports betting licenses, and among the hopefuls are industry giants like Bet365 and FanDuel.
With the green light given to Kentucky’s online betting sector, scheduled to kick off next month, anticipation is high. The path was cleared when Governor Andy Beshear ratified legal betting through House Bill 551 in April. Those eager to experience in-person wagering won’t have long to wait either, with retail betting launching on 7 September. Mobile users will get access from 28 September.
While the licensing window has been open for a while, several significant players have thrown their hats into the ring. BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, and Penn Sports Interactive, alongside the aforementioned Bet365 and FanDuel, are all seeking a piece of Kentucky’s mobile betting pie.
On the retail front, seven of Kentucky’s licensed sportsbooks are keen to secure their permits. Well-known entities such as Churchill Downs in Louisville and The Red Mile in Lexington are in the mix. Cumberland Run, gearing up for its grand opening in Corbin, and the upcoming Sandy’s Gaming and Racing in Ashland have also applied. Notably, BetMGM recently formed an alliance with Sandy’s, ensuring a foothold in the Kentucky market.
Racetracks lucky enough to snag a sports betting license will also have the privilege of setting up wagering outposts at their auxiliary sites.
All eyes will be on the 22 August meeting, where the Commission will deliberate on the license applications. The KHRC has been clear, however, that an application doesn’t promise a license.
Governor Beshear highlighted the potential benefits of this new betting landscape: “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…like providing cleaner water, building roads and high-speed internet.”
Jonathan Rabinowitz, the chairman of the KHRC, echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to maintaining betting integrity and safeguarding Kentucky bettors.