Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has released an update on the state’s sports betting results since its recent market opening, according to a LEX 18 local news report.
Players around the state have wagered more than $656m on sports betting during the past three months, according to the report from the Governor’s Office.
Kentucky opened its regulated online sports betting market on September 28. The state opened for in-person retail sports betting on September 7.
During its first month live, in-person sports wagering raked in close to $10m in bets, the Governor said.
Within its first few days live, online sports betting generated more than $68m in wagers from players statewide.
Governor Beshear shared with local news that the recent push to establish a regulated market in Kentucky has helped to generate substantial revenue for the state.
He commented, "Before we legalized sports betting, this money was going to other states, or the betting was being done illegally. Now, thanks to our efforts, these dollars are staying right here in Kentucky."
He went on to note that the state is off to “a great start” based on the sports betting wagers that have come in so far.
In other state news, Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) recently opened Derby City Gaming Downtown in Louisville. The $90m two-story entertainment venue offers horseracing fans access to 500 historical horseracing machines (HRMs), along with a gaming floor.
Derby City Gaming Downtown marks CDI’s sixth HRM entertainment venue to open prior to the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby. CDI celebrated the occasion with public festivities and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The company also presented the Norton Healthcare Foundation and The Hope Bus with a $40,000 charitable donation as part of the open ceremony.
