Six months after Gov. Andy Beshear signed legal digital Kentucky Thursday. By mid-morning, there was confirmation that seven had done so, and several are offering updated launch-day specials.
The road to legal online wagering in Kentucky took five years before lawmakers could come to consensus, but when they did, they laid the groundwork for what looks to be an open, competitive marketplace that could ultimately have up to 27 live digital platforms tethered to the state’s nine horse tracks. Wagering at retail sportsbooks in the state began with the start of the NFL season three weeks ago.
Kentucky becomes the biggest U.S. jurisdiction to set the minimum wagering age at 18. Responsible gambling advocates will be watching the state closely, though even they are not sure what, if any, increased risk there is to allow access to Circa Sportsbook goes live later this year as the only other licensed book so far, it will also take bets at 18.
We here at Sports Handle encourage bettors to play responsibly. If you feel you or someone you know has a gambling problem or is developing one, help is available by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
Stay with us today as we update our live blog with all of the latest development
3:30 p.m. — Caesars, FanDuel first bets 6r3o25
Caesars shared that its first bet was placed early this morning and was a $25 wager on the Detroit Lions spread (-1.5) against the Green Bay Packers, who will play tonight on Thursday Night Football. Kentucky is Caesars’ 18th market, and the company also has a retail sportsbook at the Red Mile.
“Building on the momentum from our grand opening of Caesars Sportsbook at Red Mile in Lexington earlier this month, we’re thrilled to bring a full mobile sports wagering experience to Kentucky with the Caesars Sportsbook app,” Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital, said via press release.
FanDuel also announced that its first bet used the company’s “Super Boost” offer to bet $50, also on tonight’s game. The bet is for 1 or more total points scored.
2:30 p.m. — Circa arrival pending 2ac4k
Circa Sports put out a news release Thursday about its plans to make Kentucky the fifth state in which it will offer mobile sports wagering.
Circa received market access in Kentucky through a licensing agreement with ECL Corbin LLC at its Cumberland Run harness track, as well as the track’s sister property, The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our operations to the great Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Las Vegas-based Circa Sports, which has yet to set a launch date. “We are grateful to our partners at Cumberland Run for bringing this to life and look forward to sharing what the brand has in store for Kentucky.”
Located just outside of Williamsburg, The Mint also has a licensing agreement with DraftKings. The ECL Corbin properties are owned by a partnership headed by Ron Winchell and Marc Falcone.
12:30 p.m. — Action Network: How to leverage KY offers 5j3m6d
Our sister site, the Action Network, breaks down how bettors can get the most out of operator offers in Kentucky. Its story explains why you shouldn’t rush into a first bet that’s tied to a promotion, that most bonus bets expire fast, and that if you’re already a customer on a platform in another state, you won’t get the full promotion, but you may get some portion of it.
Action Network also warns that it’s usually frowned upon to hedge a promotional bet, and that while some operators note this in their and conditions, nearly all will limit or ban a bettor who does this.
Noon — FanDuel shares SuperBoost 141z1x
5p651b
11:30 a.m. — Fanatics’ first bet 645z1m
Fanatics Sportsbook reported that its first bet was a $10 wager on its NFL Odds Boost (Jared Goff and Jordan Love to each record 200+ ing Yards and Over 41.5 Points Scored +150). The platform is also seeing plenty of bets placed on other NFL action, the Ryder Cup, and the Kentucky vs Florida college football game.
10:30 a.m. — Latest Barstool specials 422k50
Barstool Sportsbook announced two new specials — a $1,000 first-deposit match bonus and $100 in bonus bets. For the deposit match, Barstool will match up to $1,000 deposited in an with “eligible cashback.” According to the operator, “As you play, unlock your Cashback into real withdrawable balance. Win or lose, earn cashback on Sportsbook (5%) wagers over your next 30 days.”
To get the $100 in bonus bets, new customers g up for an may place a bet of any amount. Bonus bets will be awarded in five $20 increments.
10:10 a.m. — bet365’s first bet v184
The FIRST bet placed on bet365 in Kentucky:
Middle Tennessee (+210 ML) to beat Western Kentucky 👀#BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/8NKS9Xmfra
— bet365 US (@bet365_us) September 28, 2023
10 a.m. — DraftKings unveils TNF offer 526v57
DraftKings has been rolling out new promotions since going live at 6 a.m., and the latest is that three Kentucky customers will win $1,000 in bonus bets. Besides that, the company is offering a Thursday Night Football special that would be hard to up if you’re in Kentucky — “Double Your Money if Either Detroit or Green Bay Scores a Touchdown.”
HEY KENTUCKY! In honor of launch, we have a $1,000 BONUS BET giveaway for you 🤑
All you have to do is:
1. Retweet this tweet.
2. Follow @DKSportsbook.
3. Reply with your all-time favorite Kentucky basketball player.3 WINNERS. $1,000 BONUS BET. RULES: https://t.co/DB5P0dY9Ac pic.twitter.com/3HuFpZF84z
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) September 28, 2023
9 a.m. — Governor weighs in 6l7018
Gov. Andy Beshear took to Twitter, calling legal digital betting a “win-win” for Kentucky:
Mobile sports betting is live, Kentucky!
At 6 a.m., approved mobile applications started taking bets. More than $4.5 million has been wagered from in-person betting, and now that number will grow. The best news? The dollars are staying here to help us build a better Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/HTiyIslayK
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) September 28, 2023
8 a.m. — BetMGM is live g5r1d
BetMGM stated that it launched in Kentucky with its newly upgraded app. The company also confirmed its plans for a 5,200-square-foot retail sportsbook at Sandy’s Racing and Gaming in Ashland and to build the state’s first quarter horse track and equestrian center on 182 acres adjacent to the facility. Racing is set to start in 2025.
7 a.m. — Barstool gets underway 6o6x2d
Barstool Sportsbook confirmed that it is live in Kentucky and will have special launch day offers available later in the day.
6 a.m. — Three titans have launched 14393b
Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel confirmed they were live in the wee hours Thursday, and Rob Gronkowski went on social media on FanDuel’s behalf:
KENTUCKY – WE ARE LIVE! 🤑
Get in on the action: https://t.co/x1Z09yxTYA pic.twitter.com/8Rl7atzt1u
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) September 28, 2023
The crew at Caesars Sportsbook put together a montage of all things Kentucky from Churchill Downs to the Purple People Bridge to Louisville football:
Kentucky 🗣
The Caesars Sportsbook App is here! It's the only app where you can earn @CaesarsRewards perks with every wager – including dining, hotel stays, and event tickets at over 50+ Caesars Rewards destinations!
the app now: https://t.co/7A3It8opAR pic.twitter.com/ZU1fyqPN41
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) September 28, 2023
