Kentucky Sports Betting Market Gets New Sportsbook

The Kentucky sports betting market is expanding…just not in the way many had hoped.

After entering The Bluegrass State as a mobile provider in May 2024, Circa Sports will be opening their first physical sportsbook later this summer. The facility will be located at Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs in Simpson County, and it’s already being billed as the largest, most ambitious sportsbook in the state.

“After operating in Kentucky for a year, introducing a sportsbook of this caliber to the region marks a significant milestone for Circa Sports,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports, per Spectrum News 1. “Along with Kentucky, we're also seeing tremendous excitement from fans in Tennessee—especially in Nashville. Together with The Mint, we’re creating a high-tech betting destination that will bring a new level of live-viewing excitement for customers across both states. The Mint has been an exceptional partner in turning this vision into reality, and we look forward to welcoming guests later this year.”

This announcement comes a little sooner than many expected. Circa initially seemed like they would build up their online sports betting in Kentucky business before making any plans for physical expansion. Does this news suggest they have garnered a larger share of the market than many anticipated?

Full Details of New Kentucky Sportsbook

Here is Connor N. Smith from Spectrum News 1 with the full overview of the newest Kentucky Sportsbook:

80-Foot-Wide Viewing Experience: Circa Sports said fans can watch all the game day action on an 80-foot-wide LED screen, complete with a 31-foot-wide odds board displaying real-time lines and updates.
Premium Seating Options: Guests can relax in one of 113 stadium-style seats, luxury recliners or three tiers of booth-style seating.
Flexible Betting Access: The sportsbook will feature five staffed betting stations, including an ADA-accessible station and four self-service kiosks. Three self-service kiosks will be located within The Mint Kentucky Downs casino for ultimate convenience.
Live Broadcast Studio: A VSiN (Vegas Stats & Information Network) broadcast studio will be housed within the book, where on-air talent will provide analysis and game day content daily. VSiN provides coverage across major sports through broadcasts, podcasts and digital content to inform and empower the betting audience.

The Kentucky sports betting venue will reportedly be 21-and-over clientele only. It is also expected to be a multi-state draw.

As of now, an official opening date has yet to be released. But Circa Sports has seemingly confirmed the velvet rope will be cut by the end of the summer—presumably in time to capitalize on the influx in betting on the NFL.

Does the Kentucky Sport Betting Market Need Another Retail Location?

This question pops up more and more given the rise of online sports betting in the United States. The overwhelming majority of bets placed in the USA are now processed through a mobile betting site or app. Ratios can fluctuate by market, but the Kentucky sports betting scene is no exception.

Take the most financial report for The Bluegrass State. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission recently released the market’s figures for April 2025. According to the data, a total of $219.7 million worth of bets were submitted for the month. Of that, $213.4 million was processed through Kentucky online sportsbooks. That represents over 97 percent of the state’s entire handle.

This brings us back to the original question: Are more physical locations really in-demand? Truthfully, that remains to be seen. But Circa Sports is making a couple of assumptions, the biggest one of which is their ability to capitalize on the lack of retail locations for sports betting in Tennessee.

Not many are aware of this off the cuff, but The Volunteer State only offers online services. The proximity of Circa Sports’ newest sportsbook will allow for Tennesseans to cross state lines if they’re in the market for a different in-person inexperience.

"This region, spanning the Kentucky-Tennessee border, is a true sports enthusiast's haven," Johan Mirkovic, The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs' vice president and general manager, explained to the media (via Spectrum News 1). "The upcoming Circa Sportsbook will elevate the experience, offering the area's premier viewing venue for all your favorite sporting events—no matter where you are.”

Could the Live On-Site Analysis Help Circa Sports Succeed in Kentucky?

The other element of Circa Sports’ newest location that’s grabbing attention is its live studio. This isn’t unique to the industry, but it’s a first for the market. Having experts and well-known personalities on-site to analyze and break down games and wagers adds a layer of intrigue that could draw in more foot traffic.

Again, it isn’t clear whether this will pay off. But it certainly gives customers another reason to show up.

For Circa Sports’ part, it also behooves them to potentially corner the retail-betting market. Their Kentucky sports betting growth has not been what you’d call exponential. For April 2025, they ranked dead last among sportsbooks in total handle. They finished behind every single one of FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, ESPN Bet, bet365, BetMGM and Caesars.

Not only that, but Circa Sports actually reported operating at a net loss of $29,000 for April 2025. Every other Kentucky sportsbook, meanwhile, reported a profit. While operating at monthly losses isn’t uncommon when just joining a new market, it is something to monitor. Certainly, it also could be a reason for Circa Sports to pump the brakes on their expansion inside the Kentucky sports betting market.

And yet, the company is going to the opposite, ostensibly doubling down. Time will tell whether the investment pays off.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: