Kentucky, known for its rich horse racing history and iconic bourbon, is now poised to enter a new era of entertainment and revenue generation with the introduction of legal online sports betting.

On September 28, 2023, Kentucky will mark a historic moment as the state welcomes its first mobile legal online sportsbooks. This significant development comes after Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 into law on June 28, 2023, paving the way for a new wave of excitement and opportunity for sports enthusiasts and the state’s economy.

Through the first two weeks of sports betting, sportsbooks have taken $4.5 million in wagers, according to a release from Gov. Andy Beshear. Online Kentucky sportsbooks go live September 28. 

The journey to this day has been both swift and purposeful. The legislation mandated that the sports betting market be operational within six months of its enactment, a commitment to keeping pace with the rapidly growing industry. As a result, sportsbooks are set to launch just in time to coincide with the 2023 NFL season, creating a buzz of anticipation among Kentuckians.

Several popular sportsbooks, including bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and ESPN Bet, have received the green light to offer their services to the Kentucky market.