Kentucky Expands Bet Catalog One Week Ahead of Online Sports Betting Launch

The Bluegrass State is set to launch its online sports betting industry on September 28, but that didn’t stop the Kentucky Sports Wagering Advisory Council (KSWAC) from expanding the bet catalog. The “bet catalog” refers to the sports and leagues that sportsbooks can offer. While Kentucky’s original catalog was already robust, the state expanded it to include five new options for bettors.

The expansion includes Formula 1 racing, the National Rugby League in Australia, the Professional Fighter’s League MMA, Bellator MMA, and the Universal Tennis League. The KSWAC unanimously approved all five additions, and they will soon be available to bet on both online and at the state’s many retail sportsbooks.

While the KSWAC approved the additions, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) must sign off before the expansion is official. The KHRC is the top regulator in the state and was responsible for proposing the expansion to the Council. Now that they have approved it, the KHRC can make the expansion official.

Kentucky Bet Catalog Was Already Extensive

The quick expansion of the Kentucky bet catalog is hardly surprising, as the Bluegrass State has shown they aren’t afraid to offer some more obscure leagues. The catalog already features the XFL, USFL, CFL, Americas Cup Sailing, and eating contests. Kentucky also allows wagering on e-sports, which many states have not done. 

The most prominent wager type not included in the Kentucky catalog is college player prop bets. Many states have prohibited these to protect student-athletes, who could be harassed for failing to cover wagers put on their performance. 

Kentucky Online Sports Betting Launching This Week

Kentucky launched its retail sports betting market on September 7 and is set to launch its online market this Thursday, September 20. Most of Kentucky’s retail locations are owned and operated by Churchill Downs, meaning the online launch will be the introduction of industry giants such as FanDuel and DraftKings in the state.