bet365 and DraftKings planned to accept sports bets from customers aged 18 and over when Kentucky mobile wagering launched on Thursday, the report said. The other five operators in the initial launch group set a minimum age of 21; Circa Sportsbook, licensed but not yet launching, also planned to accept 18-year-olds.
Operators need age checks that reflect Kentucky’s different minimum ages among launch platforms.
Quarter ended 30 September 2026
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Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that the state had sued Kalshi and Polymarket, alleging they offer sports-related event contracts without the licences required for gambling operators. The state also named Coinbase, Robinhood and Webull, while Polymarket said the action conflicts with the federal regulatory framework for prediction markets.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman joined a multi-state coalition arguing that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission lacks jurisdiction over sports-related event contracts offered by prediction market platforms. The coalition said the contracts resemble sports betting products regulated by states and called on the federal government to recognise state authority.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear vetoed HB 904, a bill proposing changes to sports betting and other gambling rules, according to the report. Beshear said a provision would have allowed the Kentucky Lottery Corporation and Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission to issue regulations without his review and signature, which he argued conflicted with the state constitution.
Kentucky sports wagering totalled $247.2 million in February, reportedly. The figure was 10% higher than a year earlier, while retail betting declined.
The Kentucky General Assembly approved House Bill 904, which raises the minimum age for sports betting to 21, subject to Governor Andy Beshear’s signature. The bill also regulates fantasy sports, permits fixed-odds horse racing bets and prohibits wagers on negative performances by Kentucky college athletes; people aged 18 to 20 may still take part in fantasy sports and live horse-racing betting.