LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As thousands of Kentuckians get set to join the rest of the country in its biggest betting weekend of the year, venues are looking to cash-in.
Over at Derby City Gaming and Hotel in Newburg, a full parking lot is all but a given on Friday nights.
Less expected, general manager Bridget Harmon said, is the uptick in pre-Super Bowl crowds they've seen.
"You're gonna' see some more volume on [Friday and Saturday with] people trying to get their early bets on," she said. "I think the whole weekend will be kind of a new baseline for us to understand what sports betting and Super Bowl means here for this property."
You can add Kentucky's first Super Bowl with legal sports betting to the growing list of other firsts for Kentucky betting venues this last year, following the passing of House Bill 551 in March 2023.
"We've definitely seen a different crowd in here, but it's been great because it's people," Harmon said. "They get together, they get to hang out, not only do they bet, but they also get to drink and hang out and watch the game together."
For Derby City Gaming and Hotel, she said, it's meant a boom in business since statewide wagering launched in the fall.
"The business has been very good that we've just actually added six more kiosks to our floor," Harmon said.
They sit next to 1,303 slot-like machines, which Harmon said, by far, are still the driving force behind their brick and mortar business.
Derby City Gaming's second venue is marking two months at the corner of Fourth Street and West Market Street, in downtown Louisville.
Its opening comes as two of Louisville largest employers are moving out of their longtime downtown offices.
It's yet to be seen what, if any, impact the closures have on this downtown location. Though, Derby City Gaming officials are pretty confident it'll be minimal, because the business focuses primarily on bringing in tourists and Convention Center guests.
"I will say, you know, we're very excited to have it open," Harmon said. "There's a great team there. It's a beautiful property and I think it's nice to see the investment in downtown."
At her location, all eyes are on Sunday, she said, as Kentuckians join an estimated 26% of adults in betting on the big game, according to the American Gaming Association.
"We have tons of things lined up with the game -- a huge TV to watch it, representatives from Patron, and we'll have some swag," she said.
The excitement comes with a grave reminder to be careful, as sports Kiosks and apps sit at the ready, bolstering thousands of potential Super Bowl bets that are easy to make.
In January, WHAS11 News reported that calls to the Problem Gambling Helpline have doubled from last August to October -- ever since legal gambling started.
If you or someone you knew is struggling with or addicted to gambling, please call the Problem Gambling Helpline at +1 (800) 522-4700.
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