KENTUCKY — Legalized sports gambling officially began in Kentucky on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. for in-person wagering at multiple locations around the bluegrass state. 

In March 2023, this year, Gov. Andy Beshear D-Ky., signed House Bill 551 into law, making Kentucky the 38th state to legalize sports gambling, joining nearly all of its neighboring states. The legislation went into effect in late June.

But first, how will in-person betting actually work here in our state?

HB 551 permits all nine horse racing tracks in Kentucky to open retail sports betting lounges on their premises. Kentucky Speedway can also open a retail sports book. All 10 of those venues may host three online skins, meaning there could eventually be 30 online sports books in the state. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which has been tasked with regulating the new industry, will spend the upcoming months considering license applications and laying down the foundations for the launch.

During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Steven Bittenbender, writer/analyst for Gambling.com Group and Bet Kentucky, joins the program to talk more about the implementation of Kentucky’s sport betting law.

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.