So far, seven sportsbook operators have applied for Kentucky sports betting licenses, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
Those seven companies are:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Circa
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- PENN Entertainment (ESPN Bet)
We also know which venues applied for retail licenses
Beshear revealed that list during his weekly Team Kentucky press conference on Thursday. He also revealed which horse racing associations have applied for retail Kentucky sports betting licenses. Those seven facilities are:
- Churchill Downs
- Cumberland Run
- Ellis Park Racing & Gaming
- Oak Grove Racing & Gaming
- Red Mile Racing & Gaming
- Sandy’s Racing & Gaming
- Turfway Park Racing & Gaming
Only a few partnerships left to be unveiled
We know that BetMGM Kentucky is partnered with Sandy’s Racing & Gaming.
Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky is partnered with Red Mile and Keeneland.
FanDuel Kentucky is working with Churchill Downs.
We don’t know a specific partnership for Bet365 Kentucky, although a Sandy’s spokesperson said the company is working on securing another online partnership and will reveal details when available.
DraftKings Kentucky feels like a likely candidate to partner with Churchill Downs Inc., as it already works with CDI for advance deposit wagering technology on its horse betting app, DK Horse.
ESPN Bet is a wild card
ESPN Bet could be a wild card. PENN Entertainment, which just left Barstool Sports to partner with ESPN this week, will rebrand Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet some time this November — “certainly before Thanksgiving,” PENN CEO Jay Snowden said during Wednesday’s quarter two earnings call.
With ESPN’s unmatched ability to promote to sports fans via its programming and personalities, and ESPN’s unmatched customer databases, PENN-run ESPN Bet has a chance to make noise in the US sports betting market.
Especially in a state like Kentucky, where it looks like there may not even be 10 sportsbook apps competing in the market.