Six months after Gov. Andy Beshear signed legal digital sports betting into law, seven platforms made plans to launch in 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 wagering at age 18 vs. 21. Two operators — bet365 and DraftKings — opted to allow betting at 18+ starting Thursday, while other major operators set the age to bet on their platforms at 21+. When 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 developments.
10:30 a.m. — Latest Barstool specials
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 account 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 signing up for an account may place a bet of any amount. Bonus bets will be awarded in five $20 increments.
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10:10 a.m. — bet365 first bet
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
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 pass 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
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
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
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
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!
Download the app now: https://t.co/7A3It8opAR pic.twitter.com/ZU1fyqPN41
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) September 28, 2023
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