LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear kicked off the highly-anticipated opening of in-person sports betting in the state by placing the first wager at Churchill Downs Thursday morning.
Beshear placed a $20 parlay bet for the “over” on wins for the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville football teams, and the “under” on Duke University’s football team.
“Today is a great day to celebrate and have a little bit of fun doing so,” he said. “It has taken many years to get here, but sports wagering is finally a reality in Kentucky. This is a win-win for Kentuckians, who can enjoy a quality entertainment experience and benefit from funds staying right here in our state to help us build a better Kentucky.”
PHOTOS | Kentucky governor places state's first sports wager at Churchill Downs
Soon after the official launch at Churchill Downs Race and Sports Book, people began to line the 15 kiosks available for sports betting. Throughout the early evening, WHAS11 News saw consistent, busy crowds taking advantage of the new service.
"I've come out to this track since I was in grade school, so yeah it does feel like we're kind of in real society," Drew Deener, a talk show host at ESPN Louisville who placed his bets Thursday morning, said. "I've wanted not have to drive across the river to Indiana to bet for a long time."
Churchill Downs, the historic place where gambling on horse racing has existed for more than 100 years, has expanded its options -- along with eight other retail facilities across Kentucky, and more to come soon.
Beshear has projected $23 million in annual tax revenue from sports betting, but said it's very possible the state could see even more.
"Well, certainly every expectation across the United States has typically been exceeded, so I expect we will see more revenue than that," he said.
The governor has said the majority of the tax dollars will go toward the state pension system, but didn't specify how it'll be divvied up.
Meanwhile, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is thrilled with the expected boost to the local economy.
"When you think about people who are coming here to visit, who are doing this, they are spending so much more [money] in our city. It's great for hotels, it's great for restaurants, it's great for all the other bourbon attractions that people are going to visit," Greenberg said.
The Derby City Gaming location in downtown Louisville is set to open some time before the end of the year, according to Churchill Downs.
And mobile betting, which experts predict could account for around 90 percent of total revenue, comes into the mix on Sept. 28.
Beshear placed a second wager at the Red Mile in Lexington on Thursday afternoon, betting on UK Basketball to win the NCAA Tournament.
The opening of sports betting comes right before the start of the NFL season this weekend.
“It is an honor to host this historic first sports wager in the commonwealth at historic Churchill Downs," Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack, said. "We are proud to offer Kentucky’s newest form of wagering entertainment to the hundreds of thousands of guests who enter our gates each year and to help facilitate the economic benefits that sports wagering will bring to Kentucky,” Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack, said.
Please click here for a list of licensed retail sportsbooks.
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