The Bluegrass State is poised to transform into a center for sports wagering aficionados as Churchill Downs Inc. prepares to unveil six physical sportsbooks and pari-mutuel facilities statewide beginning September 7th. These locations, outfitted with colossal video displays, guarantee an engaging atmosphere for enthusiasts to witness live broadcasts of professional and collegiate athletic events. Enhancing the ease of access, a “Bet & Jet” option will enable guests to utilize designated short-term parking spaces within the facilities for swift wagers. These venues encompass renowned destinations such as Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville and Derby City Gaming in Louisville, in addition to Turfway Park Racing & Gaming in Florence, Newport Racing & Gaming in Newport, Oak Grove Racing & Gaming Hotel in Oak Grove, and Ellis Park Racing & Gaming in Henderson. Each establishment is slated to host a grand opening celebration around September 7th.
William Carstanjen, the head of Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), shared the company’s enthusiasm for extending their retail sports wagering knowledge to Kentucky. He conveyed gratitude to the Kentucky lawmakers, Governor Beshear, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), and the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet for their efforts in realizing this endeavor.
Carstanjen emphasized how sports wagering will bolster Kentucky’s renowned horse racing sector. He anticipates it will draw new attendees to both live racing spectacles and historic racecourses, establishing it as a significant driver for visitor numbers and economic expansion.
Although CDI has already designated six venues for in-person betting at their horse racing tracks, they’ve also obtained permits for digital sports betting. This has resulted in collaborations with three prominent entities in the online sports wagering realm: FanDuel, Fanatics, and Penn Sports Interactive (presumably alluding to Barstool Sportsbook). These platforms are all poised to commence accepting wagers on September 28th.
Anticipation is mounting as Kentucky prepares for the initiation of legalized sports betting. Additional operators are also making strides, such as DraftKings, which recently proclaimed a partnership with ECL Corbin to penetrate the Kentucky market.