Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation on March 31 that made sports betting legal in Kentucky starting this year. Kentucky became the 38th state to legalize sports gambling. The law went into effect in late June and wagering in some forms will begin this week.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the start of legalized sports betting in Kentucky:
Q: When does legalized sports betting start in Kentucky?
A: Retail sports betting begins at brick-and-mortar locations at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7, the same day that the NFL regular season starts. Beshear says he will travel to Churchill Downs that day to make the state’s first official sports wager.
Q: Where are these brick-and-mortar locations?
A: The following locations will accept in-person bets on Sept. 7:
▪ Churchill Downs in Louisville.
▪ Oak Grove Gaming and Racing in Oak Grove.
▪ Derby City Gaming in Louisville.
▪ Newport Racing and Gaming in Newport.
▪ The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run in Corbin.
▪ The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run in Williamsburg.
Q: Will there be more?
A: The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission issued temporary licenses to three facilities that have yet to open: Derby City Gaming in downtown Louisville; Ellis Park in Owensboro and Sandy’s Gaming and Racing in Ashland.
Q: Will I be able to place a sports wager at Keeneland?
A: Keeneland is partners with the Red Mile on gaming and sports wagering. There are no plans at present for a sports wagering facility at Keeneland, though that could change in the future.
Q: Can I bet at Kroger Field or Rupp Arena?
A: No. Under House Bill 551, retail sports betting is limited to the nine entities with horse racing licenses in Kentucky. Cost of the license is $500,000 with an annual $50,000 renewal fee.
Q: Why was the law written for only racetracks to host in-person wagering?
A: The thinking was that because of their experience with pari-mutuel wagering, racetracks were best equipped to handle retail sports betting. It also helps protect the horse industry in the state, which until now had a monopoly on sports wagering in Kentucky.
Q: How will in-person betting work?
A: The facilities will have separate rooms devoted to in-person wagering. For example, Red Mile is using its remodeled clubhouse for retail betting. The facility includes televisions, and people will be able to drink and eat while they watch games, etc. It will have five manned terminals and 14 self-serve kiosks. Only cash bets will be accepted on the property until online betting goes live. The Red Mile sportsbook will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight.
Q: When does mobile sports betting start?
A: Mobile sports betting begins at 6 a.m. Sept. 28. In other states, the vast majority of sports wagering is done via apps on mobile devices.
Q: What are the mobile sports betting apps?
A: Each racetrack is allowed to partner with up to three mobile providers. So far the partnerships include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Circa, Fanatics, ESPN Bet, Penn Sports Interactive and Fanatics. There might be more to come.
Q: Who is Keeneland’s betting partner?
A: Keeneland and Red Mile are partnering with Casesars Sportsbook.
Q: When can I sign up for mobile sports betting?
A: Pre-registration for mobile sports betting began Aug. 28 and runs through Sept. 28. Many mobile platforms offer bonuses for initial sign-ups.
Q: How does mobile sports betting work?
A: You must deposit money electronically into an account to get started. Minimum deposits vary by platform. Most are from $5 to $10.
Q: How old do I have to be to make a bet?
A: The legal betting age for Kentucky is 18, which is younger than most other states where you must be 21. But in Kentucky, an 18-year-old can place a bet on thoroughbred racing at a horse racing track and play the Kentucky Lottery.
Q: Have other states experienced problems with underage betting?
A: Yes. The Washington Post recently reported that Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers allegedly disguised his identity to place 366 bets at DraftKings online sportsbook. The bets were made before Dekkers turned 21, the legal betting age in Iowa.
Q: Are NCAA athletes allowed to make sports wagers?
A: NCAA rules prohibit athletes from making wagers on any NCAA events, including their own. Those who do bet face the possibility of a permanent loss of eligibility. Along with Dekkers, four current or former Iowa State athletes were charged with making illegal wagers. In May, school officials at Iowa State and Iowa said 41 athletes between the two schools were suspected of breaking NCAA gambling rules.
Q: What are the most common sportsbook bets?
A: Among the most common approved for Kentucky are:
▪ Single-game bets.
▪ Teaser bets.
▪ Parlays.
▪ Over/under bets.
▪ Money-line bets.
▪ Pools.
▪ In-game wagering.
▪ In-play bets.
▪ Proposition bets.
▪ Straight bets.
Q: Are bets taxed?
A: Yes. In-person wagers placed at tracks or gaming sites have an excise tax of 9.75%. Online wagers are taxed at 14.25%.
Q: How will individual winnings be taxed?
A: Kentuckians will be required to pay taxes on all winnings from sportsbooks, minus the losses from sports gambling. If you win more than $600 at an online sportsbook, you will be issued a W2-G form or a 1099-Misc. form with a copy automatically going to the IRS.
Q: How much money will Kentucky make in tax revenue?
A: The original estimate was $23 million. Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer has said he believes the numbers will exceed economic expectations. The majority of the tax revenue will go to the Kentucky pension fund.
Q: Will I be able to wager on college sports?
A: Yes, Kentuckians will be able to wager on college sports. High school sports are banned from sports wagering. Here’s a list of approved major sports:
▪ National Football League (NFL).
▪ Major League Baseball (MLB).
▪ National Basketball Association (NBA).
▪ Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
▪ NCAA baseball, softball, basketball, football and hockey.
You can find a full list at the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission site.
Q: What do the tracks get out of this?
A: The tracks will get a revenue share based on their betting platform partners. “In and of it itself, it’s not a big economic opportunity for the company, (but) we’re glad to have it,” Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen told a Louisville group.
Q: Who oversees gambling in Kentucky?
A: The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is in charge of regulations and licensing.
Q: What if a gambler goes overboard and needs help?
You can call the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-426-2537. According to HB 551, 2.5% of sports gambling revenue will be dedicated to problem gambling.
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