Legal sports betting in Kentucky finally made its big debut on September 7, 2023, as Governor Andy Beshear placed a $20 wager on two in-state college football teams, setting the wheels in motion for legalized sports wagering in the Bluegrass state.
And timing couldn’t have been better. The Kentucky retail sportsbook launch coincided with the opening game of the brand-new NFL 2023/24 season, giving sports bettors a chance to lay bets on a clash between the Detroit Lions and the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Home of the famous Kentucky Derby, it was at Churchill Downs that Governor Andy Beshear placed the inaugural bet. Beshear also stressed how important a milestone this is for the state, stating, “This is entertainment. It’s what Kentuckians were looking for. It’s going to boost tourism. It’s going to make sure we don’t lose that many people to Vegas in the first couple rounds in the NCAA tournament.”
His $20 bet was placed on a 3-fold parlay, backing the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky (college football teams) to beat the spread on the number of season victories. He is surely going to secure some votes after adding a third selection to that parlay, betting that Duke, the biggest KY rival, will win fewer games than projected in the upcoming NCAAB season.
Dozens of parlays and wagers were placed at the retail shop opening in Louisville, and all potential winnings are going to be donated to the Louisville Sports Commission.
- Welcome offer activates if your first bet loses
- Great mobile betting experience
- Variety of betting markets on offer
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Additional Terms Apply.
First Parlays Were Placed in Lexington As Well
A similar scenery was seen in Lexington, where state Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer made his betting picks. Thayer proudly declared, “Starting today, no Kentuckian will ever have to take their hard-earned money to another state just to place a sports bet.”
The initial reports project that Kentucky will generate around $23 million in annual revenue, even though some other predictions had much higher numbers. A big chunk of this money is going to be injected into the state’s public pension system.
Mobile Online Betting Set to Launch Later This Month — Early Bird Offers Available!
Right now, Kentucky bettors can get some incredible deals (who doesn’t love free money?!) just for registering with sportsbooks ahead of the official launch of mobile sports betting in KY on September 28, 2023.
Right now, some of the best sportsbooks in the US are offering mouth-watering promotions to fellow Kentuckians while requiring absolutely no deposit or zero financial investment.
Here are the top two bonuses to claim:
Win Big With $200 in Bonus Bets at DraftKings Sportsbook KY
Get ready for NFL Week 4 by grabbing $200 in Bonus Bets, no deposit required, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. The Bonus Bets are released in the form of 8 x $25 bets that will be automatically added to your account when Kentucky sports betting goes live on September 28. Those best can then be placed on any sport or market.
Here’s how to claim this awesome offer:
- Click on this special promo link and get redirected to DraftKings US homepage
- Open a brand new account and complete the verification process
- Log in on September 28, 2023, to receive your Bonus Bets!
Score a $100 No Deposit Bonus at BetMGM Sportsbook KY
One of the most popular operators in the country, BetMGM Sportsbook, is also running a great early bird pre-launch offer for Kentucky players, giving $100 in Bonus Bets, no deposit required, also in the form of 4 x $25 bets. The process of claiming it is also very simple and should not take more than a couple of minutes:
- Click on this promotional link to open a new account
- Complete the verification
- Receive $100 in Bonus Bets when online sports betting goes live in Kentucky
| Kentucky Sportsbook | Pre-Launch Offer | Bonus Bets | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings KY | Yes | $200 | No |
| BetMGM KY | Yes | $100 | No |
The only difference worth mentioning is that BetMGM requires you to be at least 21 years of age, while DraftKings’ bar is somewhat lower (18+).
It doesn’t matter if you are an occasional sports bettor or a more experienced player — these two promotions have great value considering they don’t require any financial investment. Best of all, there’s no reason you can’t sign up and claim both deals!
The clock is ticking on these fantastic offers, so be sure to claim them before it is too late!
