Kentuckians have a new reason to cheer. Not long after the introduction of in-person sports betting at gaming centers, mobile sports betting has been rolled out. Now, the thrill of placing a bet is just a few taps away, right from the comfort of one’s own home.
Previously, enthusiastic bettors had to visit places like Turfway and Newport Racing & Gaming. These establishments embraced the new betting culture just three weeks ago. But the betting landscape has quickly evolved. With the emergence of mobile sports betting, the need to visit a kiosk or gaming center has been eliminated.
Several approved operators have made this change possible. Among them are big names like Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, and FanDuel. Notably, Circa Sports, another approved player, will join the fray but plans to commence operations at a future date.
However, with change comes a set of fresh challenges. One point of contention is the age stipulation for mobile betting. As per Kentucky law, individuals aged 18 and above can place bets. Yet, some disparities arise when it comes to app-specific guidelines. For instance, platforms like DraftKings and Bet365 permit users aged 18 and above. On the contrary, apps like BetMGM and FanDuel set the threshold at 21.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear weighed in on this development. He highlighted the potential benefits for the state, particularly the capability to retain funds that previously flowed to neighboring states. Referring to the early success of in-person betting facilities launched in September, Beshear commented, “I’ve heard the people in Kentucky are having fun. These are entertainment dollars, and they should always be treated as such without going too far.” The statistics support his optimism. Preliminary data indicates that just within the first two weekends of retail betting, the state saw an influx exceeding $4.5 million.