DraftKings Confirms Corbin Deal Ahead of Kentucky Sports Betting Launch

The presence of DraftKings in the Kentucky sports betting scene was further solidified on Aug. 22.

The gaming company announced it had reached an agreement with ECL Corbin, LLC (The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland and Cumberland Run) that gives DraftKings access to operate mobile sports betting in the Bluegrass State.

DraftKings and Corbin will partner to offer the DraftKings mobile sports betting app as well as retail sportsbooks planned at the Corbin properties. The deal is pending licensure and regulatory approvals. 

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted on licenses for Kentucky sports betting online wagering operators later Tuesday afternoon.

“Together with the Corbin properties, we’re excited to bring our premier sports betting experience to yet another state and its sports fans,” Matt Kalish, President of DraftKings North America, said in a release. “We want to thank the Kentucky General Assembly for passing legislation and Governor Andy Beshear for his support of sports wagering as we look forward to launching our sportsbook product during a busy football season, pending licensure and regulatory approvals.”

The pending launch would mark the 22nd state DraftKings is live in with its mobile sportsbook app and the 24th overall with sports betting.

“The Corbin properties are truly excited to work with DraftKings, one of the country’s leading sportsbook operators,” said Marc Falcone, the co-managing partner along with Ron Winchell for ECL Corbin, LLC. “This will be a great relationship for both companies.”

Gaming Today first reported the partnership of DraftKings and Cumberland Run on Aug. 11.

According to a document obtained by Gaming Today, Cumberland Run has also partnered with Circa Online Sportsbook.

DraftKings Among 9 Sportsbooks Looking To Enter Kentucky

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted unanimously approved nine sportsbooks and seven licensed horse racetracks for Kentucky sports betting temporary licenses on Tuesday. In addition to DraftKings, those mobile service providers that were approved include: Bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, Fanatics, FanDuel, Kambi, and Penn Sports Interactive.

DraftKings, one of the most popular and versatile sports betting platforms in the industry,  already offers daily fantasy sports (DFS) to Kentucky residents and had a foothold in the state through a multi-year agreement with Churchill Downs Inc. — announced in December 2022 — that brought pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing to DraftKings.

Kentucky sports betting is set to go live on Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. ET at in-person facilities with mobile sports betting set to launch on Sept. 28.

Pre-Registration for Mobile KY Sports Betting Accounts Kicks Off Aug. 28

Kentuckians can pre-register for an account with approved mobile applications beginning at 6 a.m. ET on Aug. 28. Approved mobile applications can start taking wagers on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 6 a.m. ET.

A total of nine sports betting operator licenses will be available. Each licensed horse racing facility can partner with up to three service providers for mobile wagering launching on Sept. 28.

About the Author
Alicia Hughes

Alicia Hughes

Lead Writer
Alicia Hughes is a lead writer and award-winning horse racing journalist at Gaming Today. She previously served as a digital content editor for TVG and racing editor for The Blood-Horse following 12 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader. A graduate of Pace University in New York and a diehard New Jersey Devils fan, Hughes is a past president of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association.

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