Kentucky horse racing bettors will have two new options for wagering for the 2023 season.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved a measure to allow Caesars Racebook and the DraftKings horse racing app to accept bets in the Bluegrass State.
DraftKings, Caesars join FanDuel Racing Kentucky app
Last July, the KHRC executive director approved NYRABets to work with Caesars Racebook. NYRABets is the New York Racing Association’s horse betting platform. Thus, the approval allowed Caesars to use NYRABet’s back end as part of their software.
On Tuesday, the KHRC voted unanimously for the KHRC executive director’s approval of that partnership.
Similarly, the KHRC ratified the approval of a betting agreement entered last March between TwinSpires and DK Horse. That agreement allowed the Churchill Downs-owned TwinSpires to conduct advance deposit wagering operations with DK Horse. That vote was also a unanimous decision.
Kentucky sports betting is still a long way from launching. But these partnerships give some insight into which racetracks and online sportsbooks will work together when it is available later this year. The legislation signed last month by Gov. Andy Beshear allows racetracks to partner with up to three online sports betting companies.
The FanDuel Horse Racing Kentucky app was already available in Kentucky.
Kentucky horse bettors can now start using Caesars Racebook
Caesars Racebook is available for download on iOS or Android devices. These accounts are separate from any Caesars Sportsbook account the user already has in other jurisdictions.
However, users can link their Caesars Rewards account to Caesars Racebook and continue to earn rewards while wagering on horse racing. Unfortunately for bettors, there are no Caesars-owned casinos in Kentucky. But Caesars Southern Indiana is just 15 miles from Louisville.
Caesars Racebook offers pari-mutuel wagering for races on more than 250 tracks in the US and internationally.
DK Horse approved as an affiliate of Churchill Downs, TwinSpires
Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Company, or TwinSpires, can now conduct advance deposit wagering operations with DK Horse, LLC. Under this agreement, consumers must create an account with TwinSpires. Then, TwinSpires will handle deposits and wagers. Additionally, the company will transfer any credits and debits between accounts.
As a result, TwinSpires can manage and maintain accounts for wagering on horse racing in the state, with DK Horse presenting those services under its brand.
Churchill Downs has signaled its intention to close its TwinSpires racing app in the US, but it’s still available in a few states.
Other decisions from Tuesday’s meeting
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission also unanimously approved an amended race schedule for Turfway Park Racing & Gaming in Florence.
A request by Ellis Park to establish its 2023 race purses ranging from $3.7 to $4.4 million across as many as 24 races this season was approved. Kentucky Downs also received approval for a $10.1 to $11.1 million purse for its seven-race series in August and September.
The commission will meet next on June 20.
