Correction: A previous version of this story included Kentucky Speedway as a gambling location. The Speedway was not included in HB 551. (Aug. 30, 2023)

FLORENCE, Ky. — Sports betting is set to kick off in Kentucky in just over a week, in time for the start of the NFL season.

What You Need To Know

  • Turfway is one of the nine locations which will be permitted to open retail sports betting lounges on Sept. 7

  • Online betting comes a few weeks later on Sept. 28

  • Kentucky became the 37th state to legalize sports betting

  • Turfway's president said, "I think many would say it's probably long overdue"

For the people in charge of getting sports betting ready to launch at Turfway Park Racing and Gaming, the last few months have been a whirlwind.

“Literally, after we received word that we were officially approved for sports betting in the state of Kentucky, we rallied around our stakeholders,” said Michael Taylor, who is the president of both Turfway Park and Newport Racing and Gaming.

Turfway is one of the nine locations which will be permitted to open retail sports betting lounges on Sept. 7.

Online betting comes a few weeks later on Sept. 28. For that, Turfway is partnering with FanDuel.

“When we opened up on Sept. 1, 2022, it really was one of the only missing elements. We know it’s going to add another element of not just entertainment, but game-watching experience for our guests, who’ve been asking for sports betting, quite frankly, for quite some time,” Taylor said. “And I think many would say it’s probably long overdue.”

Lonnie Turner is one of those people.

“Can’t wait for it. I’ve been coming here since the 70s,” Turner said. “They don’t have to go to Indiana now to bet. They don’t have to go online to bet. You come right over here and bet.”

Kentucky became the 37th state to legalize sports betting when Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., signed House Bill 551 into law.

“We’re expecting an educated customer, just considering the fact that our surrounding tri-state neighbors all have had sports betting for quite some time,” Taylor said. “We’ll maybe attract a guest that wouldn’t normally have a reason to come to Turfway Park.”

In fact, Turner said, it already has. “Some people I’ve talked to, they can’t wait for it,” he shared. 

The kiosks are already out at Turfway just waiting to break some hearts, or make some smart bettors very happy.

“Good luck to them. And happy winnings,” Turner said.

Turfway will host a ceremony for its first bet placed on Sept. 7 when betting goes live. Turfway is also hosting a party this Friday, Sept. 1, to celebrate its one-year anniversary.

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