Kentucky Sports Gambling FAQs

It’s the dawn of a new age in the Commonwealth. Just on the horizon you can see sports gambling coming to Kentucky. Before the Bluegrass State joins 33 others (and the District of Columbia), here are a few things you need to know about sports gambling in Kentucky.

When Does Kentucky Sports Gambling Kickoff?

Brick and mortar locations will be the first to offer sports gambling in Kentucky beginning Thursday, Sept. 7. Governor Andy Beshear will make the ceremonial first bet tomorrow at Churchill Downs, which will open to the public at 11 am. until 11:30 pm for the first NFL game of the 2023 season.

Mobile wagering will go LIVE three weeks later, beginning Thursday, Sept. 28.

Where Can I Make Wagers In-Person?  

• Churchill Downs (700 Central Ave., Louisville)
• Derby City Gaming (4520 Poplar Level Road, Louisville)
• Ellis Park (3300 US Hwy 41 N, Henderson)
• The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland (244 Penny Lane, Williamsburg)
• The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run (777 Winners Lane, Corbin)
• Newport Racing & Gaming (1723 Monmouth St., Newport)
• Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel (777 Winners Way, Oak Grove)
• The Red Mile (1200 Red Mile Road, Lexington)
• Turfway Park Racing & Gaming (7500 Turfway Road, Florence)

Three new locations are currently under construction but are not expected to be open when sports gambling goes live: Derby City Game in Downtown Louisville, Sandy’s Game and Racing in Ashland and an Ellis Park expansion in Owensboro.

Which Mobile Apps will be Offered in Kentucky?

Even though you cannot use them until Sept. 28, pre-registration is now open for most major sports books. Keeneland and Red Mile are partnering with Caesar’s Sportsbook. CDI properties have partnered with FanDuel, Penn (the future home of ESPN Bet) and Fanatics. As you’ve also heard by now, DraftKings is partnering with Matt Jones and the KSR Radio crew.

I like @DrewFranklinKSR addition to our @DKSportsbook photoshoot that Ryan had to miss pic.twitter.com/szsL7TP5VR

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) August 28, 2023

Who Can Make Wagers?

Kentucky bucked a trend. Many other states prohibit individuals from sports gambling until they are 21. The legal age for sports gambling in Kentucky is 18, however, some companies (FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook) are remaining consistent with nationwide policies that require bettors to be 21 and older. DraftKings will open its doors to anyone 18 and over.

Can I bet on the Cats?

Yes. Some states prohibit gamblers from placing a wager on college programs located within state lines. Kentucky is not one of those states. That means Drew Franklin can win another garage fridge for his cold beers when the Wildcats easily cover in the Governor’s Cup.

Wait, but I can’t get a line on Kentucky vs. EKU…

That’s because sports books typically wait until the day of the game before unveiling lines for games between FBS and FCS foes. If you want a little action on the upcoming intrastate matchup, you’ll most likely have to wait until Saturday morning.

Sports Gambling Terms You Need to Know

This is an incomplete, elementary explanation of a few sports gambling basics. The sports betting glossary can be much more complex, but this should help those who are getting in on the action for the first time.

The + and – : In horse racing you’re used to seeing a whole number on a tote board next to an entry indicating its odds, (i.e a 3 for 3-to-1 odds). The odds typically aren’t as high in other sports.

The +/- system indicates how much money you would win if you placed a $100 wager. Most bets against the spread are -110. That 10% is the “juice” the sports book takes home for placing the wager.

You can also see the +/- when lines open. The favorite is giving points with a “minus” while the underdog is getting points, indicated by the “+” sign.

Against the Spread: The most fundamental wager in sports gambling, you’re picking a team to win based on the spread the sports book has created. For example, Colorado was +20.5 against TCU. If you bet Colorado to cover the spread, the ticket cashed if they lost by 20 points or less.

Moneyline: This is simply selecting a team to win the game outright one the scoreboard. If you believe an underdog will shock the world and win outright, the moneyline offers the most value. Colorado was around +750 to win outright, which means a $10 bet won $75.

Total: Also known as betting the Over or Under, this is wagering on the total combined points scored in a game.

Parlay: In order to increase the odds, gamblers make multiple wagers on one ticket. Each game added to the parlay grows the odds, but also makes it riskier.

This is akin to the “single-game parlay,” where an individual can make multiple wagers within one game to increase the odds. Those typically involve multiple prop bets, a la Devin Leary passing yards + Ray Davis rush yards + Kentucky -26.5. Sports books provide many pre-made single-game parlays because 1) They’re a lot of fun as a gambler and 2) They’re difficult to win, which makes more money for the sports book.

Wager Responsibly

A wise mane once said, “you got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away and know when to run.” Set limits before you play and enjoy responsibility. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.