Kentucky grants first temporary sports betting licenses
Online and retail operators given one year permits ahead of full-state launch in September
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has conferred temporary sports betting licenses on the first nine operators looking to launch in the Bluegrass State’s upcoming regulated market.
At a meeting of the KHRC, which took place on Tuesday (August 22), the commission unanimously approved licenses for both online and retail operators, following submission of applications by a number of big players in the US market.
Race track operators approved for licenses include the Churchill Downs race track at Louisville, the Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run, The Red Mile in Lexington, Turfway Park in Florence, Ellis Park in Henderson, and Oak Grove Gaming and Racing at Oak Grove.
Three yet to launch race tracks, including the Derby City Gaming track at Louisville, the Ellis Park track at Owensboro, and Sandy’s Gaming and Racing at Ashland, have also been granted temporary licenses to operate sportsbooks.
Eight mobile service providers were granted licenses by the KHRC in the initial tranche of awards: bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Penn Sports Interactive, with all operators planning to launch mobile and online sports betting sites in the state.
Sportsbook technology supplier Kambi, initially not on the list of applicants confirmed by the KHRC earlier this month, has been confirmed as the ninth online licensee, but will not have a mobile application, rather operating as a service provider for a retail partner.
All operators have been granted temporary permits to run sports betting in the state for one year, pending full licensure upon expiry.
On August 28, Kentucky residents will be able to pre-register for an account with approved mobile operators.
Following that, on September 7 at 6am, users can deposit money into those pre-registered accounts, and later, at 10am, bettors will be able to place an in-person bet at licensed facilities.
Lastly, on September 28, approved mobile operators will be able to take bets from players.
“We are excited to open sports wagering on our target date as we continue working through this careful process dedicated to wagering integrity and protecting bettors in the state of Kentucky,” said KHRC chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz.
Earlier this month, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order creating the first Kentucky Sports Wagering Advisory Council, a body independent of the KHRC, made up of individuals from both the industry and the regulator.
The council will advise the KHRC and aims to provide additional voices who have direct knowledge of the sports betting industry.
Appointed members include: Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet Secretary Ray Perry as well as KHRC commissioners William May, Tiffany Daniels, James Edwin Worley, and KHRC deputy executive director Waqas Ahmed.
Two independent so-called ‘at-large’ members have also been confirmed, namely Jonathan Blue and Joyce Merritt, with KHRC commissioner May serving as chairperson to the council.