If you listen hard enough, you can practically hear the “Assembly of the Buglers” as Kentucky gets ready to launch mobile sports betting on Sept. 28.
A month earlier, on Aug. 28, the state's would-be online sportsbooks were allowed to start taking pre-registrations. Under the new law, each of Kentucky’s nine horse racetracks can have up to three digital partners. Retail wagering went live in the state on Sept. 7.'
As of now, eight confirmed online sportsbooks are taking those pre-registrations. Additionally, six of the operators are offering some type of pre-launch offer. Here's the rundown:
- PENN Sports Interactive (partnered with Ellis Entertainment) will be live on launch day with Barstool Sportsbook, according to a spokesperson, but it is not known if a pre-launch bonus will be offered.
- Bet365 (partnered with Revolutionary Racing) is offering a touchdown bonus sign-up offer. People who sign up before Sept. 28 who bet at least $1 on the Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions game on launch night will get $10 in bonus bets for each touchdown scored (up to $50 in bonus bets).
- BetMGM (partnered with Revolutionary Racing) is offering $100 in bonus bets on launch day for would-be bettors who pre-register.
- Caesars (partnered with the Lexington Trot Breeders Association) is offering a $25 bonus bet if patrons deposit $20 or more before launch, in addition to a $25 bonus bet each Monday thereafter for three weeks.
- Circa (partnered with ECL Corbin) is not planning any promos at the moment.
- DrafKings (partnered with ECL Corbin) is offering $200 in bonus bets for people who sign up early. They will be parceled out as eight $25 bets.
- Fanatics (partnered with Oak Grove) is offering a free jersey (valued at over $150) to patrons who sign up and wager at least $50.
- FanDuel (partnered with Turfway) is giving bettors $100 in free bets if they sign up early.
First-mover advantage, but …
Two companies that will be missing out on the mobile launch festivities will be Churchill Downs and its partner, Kambi.