We officially know when Kentuckians will be able to place their first legal sports bets: Sept. 7 at retail sportsbooks, and Sept. 28 on mobile sportsbook apps.
That Sept. 7 date is key, because it’s the first day of the NFL season.
But what else is the Kentucky sports betting industry launching in time for?
Put differently, which sporting events will a September launch allow Kentuckians to bet on in 2023?
Let’s take a look.
NFL football
With Kansas City vs. Detroit kicking off the 2023 NFL season on Sept. 7, Kentucky residents will be able to bet on games throughout the full season — at least at a retail sportsbook.
Detroit at Green Bay in Thursday Night Football kicks off Week 4 of the NFL season on Sept. 28. From then on, Kentuckians will be able to bet on NFL games using online sportsbooks as well.
College football
Week 2 of the college football season begins Sept. 7 with Louisville hosting Murray State. The Cardinals are playing the only Division I college football game that day, so all NCAA football bettors in Kentucky — and across the US — will have their eyes on that game.
So, Kentuckians will be able to bet on Louisville, Kentucky and all college football games starting Week 2 at retail sportsbooks.
They’ll be able to do so on sports betting apps like BetMGM Kentucky starting in Week 5. Louisville plays NC State and Kentucky hosts Florida that week.
MLB playoffs, World Series
The MLB postseason begins with the Wild Card Series starting Oct. 3.
That means Kentucky bettors will have full gambling access for the entirely of the MLB playoffs, all the way through the World Series.
NBA tipoff
The 2023-24 season will begin Oct. 24.
College basketball tipoff
College basketball season begins in early November, with some big early-season tournaments starting around Thanksgiving.
Kentucky plays Kansas on Nov. 14 and Miami on Nov. 28. Louisville plays in the Empire State Classic (Nov. 19-20), also featuring UConn, Indiana and Texas.
You’d better believe operators will go heavy on the Kentucky sportsbook promos and bonuses for the start of college hoops season in the Bluegrass State.
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup, the US vs. Europe men’s golf competition held every two years, takes place this year Sept. 29-Oct. 1. It’s being played in Rome this year. It’s routinely one of the most bet-on golf events in the world.
NASCAR
There are several NASCAR races on the calendar for Kentuckians to bet on with apps like DraftKings Kentucky:
- Hollywood Casino 400 (Sept. 10)
- AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (Sept. 24)
- YellaWood 500 (Oct. 1)
- Bank of America ROVAL 400 (Oct. 8)
- South Point 400 (Oct. 15)
- NASCAR Cup Series Race at Homestead-Miami (Oct. 22)
- Xfinity 500 (Oct. 29)
- NASCAR Cup Series Championship (Nov. 5)
Formula 1
There are also several Grand Prix events on the calendar for Kentuckians to bet on:
- Singapore Grand Prix (Sept. 17)
- Japanese Grand Prix (Sept. 24)
- Qatar Grand Prix (Oct. 8)
- United States Grand Prix (Oct. 22)
- Mexico City Grand Prix (Oct. 29)
- Sau Paulo Grand Prix (Nov. 5)
- Las Vegas Grand Prix (Nov. 19)
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Nov. 26)
UFC
The UFC has three events for Kentucky residents to bet on in 2023:
- UFC 293 (Sept. 9)
- UFC 294 (Oct. 21)
- UFC 295 (Nov. 11)
UEFA Champions League
Group stage matches in the UEFA Champions League take place from September to December, so any international soccer fans in Kentucky will have plenty of options for legal sports betting.
Solheim Cup
Like the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup pits the US vs. Europe in a women’s golf competition. It will be played this year in Spain, from Sept. 18-24.
Other notable sporting events Kentuckians can bet on in 2023
- College Football Playoff semifinals, bowl games (December)
- NCAA women’s volleyball championship (Dec. 14, Dec. 16)
- Rugby World Cup (Sept. 8-Oct. 28)
- Davis Cup Finals (Nov. 12-26)
- Cricket World Cup (Oct. 5-19)
- FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup (Nov. 16-26)