- Over $4.5 million has been wagered in Kentucky since the introduction of retail sports betting two weeks ago.
- The licensed apps launching on September 28 are Bet365, BetMGM, Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics.
- DraftKings and BetMGM are still offering a combined $300 in bonuses for Kentuckians who register pre-launch.
- To date more than 60,000 online accounts have been created to take advantage of these offers.
Seven mobile sportsbook apps have been licensed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) and will launch mobile on the opening day of remote sports betting, Governor Andy Beshear’s office has confirmed.
Two weeks have passed since Kentucky introduced retail sports betting and the governor’s office just had a press conference revealing that more than $4.5 million had already been wagered in the state.
“This is a strong number that certainly reflects the excitement Kentuckians have for the opening of sports wagering,” said Gov. Beshear. “With college football and the NFL season underway, plus the launch of mobile wagering, we expect that number will grow significantly.”
On September 28 — less than one week away — this will be joined by Kentucky sports betting apps. Licensed operators confirmed for a Day 1 launch include Bet365, BetMGM, Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics. Circa Sports has been licensed and will launch later this year.
There are not too many surprises on the list. DraftKings and BetMGM have been open for pre-launch registration for a couple of weeks offering a combined $300 in bonuses to players who create an account prior to next Thursday. Beshear revealed that “well over” 60,000 online accounts have been created, and this likely understates the true figure as not all licensed sportsbooks had reported their pre-launch registrations.
Barstool Sports remains an open question. Earlier this summer it was announced that Penn Entertainment would rebrand its sports betting efforts from Barstool Sports to ESPN Bet through a new $1.5 billion deal with Disney. It remains to be seen whether Penn will revive the Barstool brand for next week, or will be ready with an ESPN Bet launch so soon.
The Seven Kentucky Mobile Sportsbooks Launching on Day 1
- Barstool Sportsbook/ESPN Bet
- BetMGM
- Bet365
- BetFanatics
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
More Sports and Contests to Bet On in KY
Also announced on Thursday was an expanded lists of sports on which Kentuckians can bet.
Earlier this year, Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) finalized their first draft version of the sports catalog which featured the most popular sports in the US like NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR and NCAA. It also included some more esoteric contests and sports to bet on, including esports, chess, corn hole, and hot dog eating contests.
That lists has grown further, with the NRL (National Rugby League Australia), the PFL (Professional Fighters League MMA), MMA and the Universal Tennis League now approved leagues on which sportsbooks can spread markets.
But perhaps most notable on the list is Formula 1. This will permit Kentuckians to wager on the upcoming F1 Las Vegas in a couple of months.
Kentucky Pre-Launch Offers Are Still Available
Mobile sports betting is launching next Thursday, September 28, with the NFL and NCAAF seasons in full swing. Online wagers are expected to generate considerably more than the initial $4.5 million seen in retail shops.
Initial projections indicated the potential for annual sports wagering revenue of $23 million. The state’s plan is to redirect a big chunk of that money into Kentucky’s public pension system. Also, with sports betting being legalized, residents of the Bluegrass state no longer will cross borders to bet, which should be an additional contribution to economic prosperity.
For those eager to get in on the action, there are still pre-launch offers available for Kentucky sports bettors. Join the 60,000 players who have already opened their accounts. These give players hundreds of dollars in bonus bets purely for creating an account – no deposit necessary.
Pokerfuse has squared away two deals for readers — DraftKings KY is offering $200 in bonus bets, and BetMGM KY is $100. However, there’s no need to choose between them: Players in the state can claim both by just signing up to each. It takes minutes, and requires no other commitment to use these dollars to place bets.
| Kentucky Sportsbook | Pre-Launch Offer | Bonus Bets | Deposit Required | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings US | Yes | $200 | No | Claim bonus » |
| BetMGM US | Yes | $100 | No | Claim bonus » |
“It has taken many years to get here, but sports wagering is finally a reality in Kentucky. This is a win-win for Kentuckians, who can enjoy a quality entertainment experience and benefit from funds staying right here in our state to help us build a better Kentucky,” said Beshear.
All licensed providers can start accepting wagers at 6 AM ET on September 28.
- 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.
