Following the signing of Home Invoice 551 into legislation on March 31, 2023 by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, the sports activities betting business within the state gained a official standing. Though there was opposition, primarily for ethical and non secular causes, the invoice got here into pressure on June 28.
The authorized retail places are allowed to begin providing betting providers as of September 7 and their on-line counterparts will go dwell on September 28.
The annual tax income from the business is anticipated to succeed in $23 million in 2023. The figures for 2024 are projected to exceed $30 million. As per official data revealed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Fee, the income will probably be distributed in three important instructions – the state’s pension funds, help for gambling-related problems, and administrative prices of sports activities betting.
The invoice that legalized sports activities betting makes provision for a 9.75% excise tax on land-based amenities and a 14.25% excise tax on on-line operators. Whereas race tracks should pay an preliminary $500,000 price and a $50,000 renewal price, the interactive betting operators will probably be charged an preliminary $50,000 price and a $10,000 renewal price.
Kentucky Sports activities Betting Regulator, Land-Based mostly and On-line Betting Amenities
The official regulatory physique of land-based and on-line sports activities betting in Kentucky is the Kentucky Horse Racing Fee. The unbiased company is tasked with the function of controlling the protection and integrity of the business.
Kentuckians will probably be initially in a position to place wagers at a number of land-based amenities, together with Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Derby Metropolis Gaming & Resort, The Mint Gaming Corridor Cumberland Run, The Mint Gaming Corridor Cumberland, Oak Grove Racing, Newport Racing & Gaming, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, and The Crimson Mile.
With the launch of on-line sports activities betting on September 28, punters will have the ability to place their wagers with eight interactive bookies, together with bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Circa, ESPN Guess, Caesars, and Fanatics. Every of the sportsbooks will work in cooperation with predetermined racetracks. The stated operators will signify the primary batch of authorized sports activities betting platforms. Punters can count on bountiful sportsbook promos, seeing because the apps are among the many high performers throughout the playing business. Moreover, as is already recognized, prospects can pre-register for on-line accounts as of August 28.
After years of heated debates within the Kentucky legislative halls, punters residing within the state at the moment are permitted to wager on skilled, school, and beginner sports activities occasions. Esports occasions are additionally a part of the checklist. Each home and worldwide betting markets are throughout the scope of bookmakers’ operations.
Notably, the launch of the business happens concurrently with the 2023 NFL season’s kickoff sport, which is able to open up loads of profitable betting markets. Kentucky is the thirty eighth state to endorse the favored type of leisure.
