LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentuckians are less than two weeks away from being able to bet on sports. This week the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved temporary licenses for retail and mobile apps where people can place bets. 

What You Need To Know

  • Retail locations will begin taking in-person bets on Sept. 7

  • Bets on apps will begin Sept. 28

  • Kentucky lets any one 18-years-old or older to place bets, but the providers can set their own betting age

  • Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved temporary licenses for retail and mobile apps

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., said temporary licenses were approved for multiple retail locations like Churchill Downs and the Red Mile. The KHRC also approved temporary licenses for nine service providers—8 of which will use mobile apps like FanDuel, Fanatics and DraftKings.

A temporary license is good for one year while under continued review.

Kentucky lets anyone 18-years-old or older to place bets, but the providers can set their own betting age. House Bill 551 will tax 9.75% for retail locations and 14.25% for online bets. Money, Beshear said, will be put back into the state.

“They can spend their entertainment dollars here instead of going to other states and we expect to see at least $23,000,000 in state revenue we can put toward education, we can continue to invest in infrastructure, and that we can use for health care,” said Beshear. 

Two and a half percent of revenue will go to help those with gambling problems. 

On Sept. 7 in-person bets can be placed at retail locations and on Sept. 28  apps can start taking bets.

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