The full launch of Kentucky sports betting is now complete! Two weeks after in-person wagering went live in the Commonwealth, Kentucky sports betting apps launched on Sept. 28, giving residents of the Bluegrass State multiple options with the top Kentucky sportsbooks.
Mobile apps are the ultimate in terms of convenience as they allow users to bet from anywhere, whether you are in front of your computer or on your phone. Brick-and-mortar locations also offer their own set of benefits for sports bettors, not the least of which is a lifeline if your Wi-Fi goes out just before game time.
In Kentucky, a total of nine locations – six racetracks and three of their satellite facilities – opened when retail sports betting launched on Sept. 7. No matter what part of Kentucky you are located in, there are in-person locations available for you to show up, and place a wager.
Let’s take a look at the retail sportsbooks available in Kentucky and the entertainment value they offer.
Kentucky Retail Sportsbooks
| 🏦Live Kentucky Retail Sportsbooks | 📍Address |
|---|---|
| 🏦Churchill Downs Race & Sports Book | 📍700 Central Avenue Louisville, KY 40208 |
| 🏦Derby City Gaming & Hotel | 📍Derby City Gaming 4520 Poplar Level Road Louisville, KY 40213 |
| 🏦Derby City Gaming Downtown | 📍140 S 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 |
| 🏦The Red Mile | 📍1200 Red Mile Rd, Lexington, KY 40504 |
| 🏦Ellis Park Racing & Gaming | 📍3300 Highway 41 N, Henderson, Kentucky 42420 |
| 🏦Turfway Park Racing & Gaming | 📍Turfway Park 7500 Turfway Rd. Florence, KY 41042 |
| 🏦Newport Racing & Gaming | 📍Newport Racing & Gaming 1723 Monmouth St. Newport, KY 41071 |
| 🏦Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel | 📍777 Winners Way Oak Grove, KY 42262 |
| 🏦The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland | 📍244 Penny Lane, Williamsburg, KY 40769 |
| 🏦The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run | 📍777 Winners Lane, Corbin, KY 40701 |
| 🏦Sandy's Racing and Gaming | 📍10699 US-60, Ashland, KY 41102 |
Six Retail Sites Operated by Churchill Downs Inc.
Churchill Downs Inc, parent company of historic Churchill Downs Racetrack, owns six of the retail sites currently open in Kentucky. CDI’s licensed Race and Sports Books all incorporate sports betting kiosks among existing bar and simulcast areas for guests to place wagers.
Most locations also offer large format video screens or various televisions to watch live racing and sports and each of CDI’s HRM venues will implement a “Bet & Jet” feature that offers guests designated parking spaces for 15 minutes in order to quickly and easily place their in-person sports wager.
- Churchill Downs Racetrack: 15 sports betting kiosks, 168 sq. ft. video screen, 20 large format televisions
- Derby City Gaming & Hotel: 15 sports betting kiosks, 300 sq. ft. video screen, 12 large format televisions
- Ellis Park Racing & Gaming: 5 sports betting kiosks
- Newport Racing & Gaming: 10 sports betting kiosks, 20 large format televisions
- Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel: 20 sports betting kiosks, 300 sq. ft. video screen, 8 large format televisions
- Turfway Park Racing & Gaming: 15 sports betting kiosks, 300 sq. ft. video screen, 16 large format televisions
For online betting, Churchill Downs Incorporated has partnered with FanDuel, Penn Sports Interactive, and Fanatics as its three online sports wagering service providers.
Caesars Sportsbook Only Retail Site in Central Kentucky
Caesars Entertainment has a partnership with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming & Racing and opened the Caesars Sportsbook at Red Mile on Sept. 7. The more than 4,600-square-foot sportsbook in Lexington is the only retail sportsbook in Central Kentucky.
Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to midnight, Caesars Sportsbook at Red Mile features five betting windows. There is also a bar area with wall-to-wall flatscreen televisions on the first floor and 14 self-service betting kiosks throughout the gaming floor and simulcasting areas.
Mint Gaming Properties Live in Williamsburg and Corbin
Cumberland Run harness track in Corbin and its sister The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland in Williamsburg partnered with DraftKings to provide retail sports betting at both locations, as well as mobile sports wagering.
The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland is home to 450 gaming machines, sports betting, and year-round simulcast wagering. At Cumberland Run Corbin, the casino’s gaming space features 150 gaming machines.
Mobile Sports Betting Apps Compared to Retail Sportsbooks
Online sports betting apps are the most popular choice for a reason. In addition to being able to wager from anywhere, legal online betting means you can avoid transportation costs, traffic congestion, or sitting in lines to bet or cash tickets. You can also shop betting lines more efficiently and take advantage of the best sportsbook promo offers.
What retail sportsbooks offer is a more entertaining and social environment. Also, if someone is not as tech-savvy or does not have access to reliable internet, in-person wagering still allows them to participate in legal sports betting.
| 📱Mobile Sports Betting | 🏫 Retail Sports Betting |
|---|---|
| ✅ Portability | ✅ Less technical |
| ✅ No Travel Required | ✅ More Social |
| ✅ Bonuses |
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