As Kentucky prepares to legalize sports wagering, Caesars Entertainment’s sports wagering platform, Caesars Sportsbook, has announced strategic partnerships with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming & Racing in Lexington. The alliances will provide Caesars with market access to offer mobile sports wagering in Kentucky, including plans for the state’s only brick-and-mortar retail sportsbook locations, pending the necessary regulatory approvals from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
These partnerships reflect Caesars’ dedication to horse racing and their ongoing expansion of the Caesars Racebook app, facilitated by a collaboration with the New York Racing Association, Inc. Caesars, the annual host of the National Horseplayers Championship at the newly rebranded Horseshoe Las Vegas, has also recently announced plans for a mile-long Thoroughbred racetrack with a casino and sportsbook in Columbus, Nebraska, named Harrah’s Columbus Racing & Casino, expected to launch in 2024.
Keeneland, a National Historic Landmark established by horsemen in 1936, hosts boutique race meets and has been the venue for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015, 2020, and 2022. Known as the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts five auctions annually. Red Mile, set up in 1875, stands as the world’s second-oldest harness racing track and a premier iGaming destination in Kentucky, housing over 950 Historical Horse Racing machines.
In this partnership, Caesars Sportsbook will serve as an official sports betting partner of both Keeneland and Red Mile, providing on-track hospitality and VIP experiences at both racetracks to members of the Caesars Rewards loyalty program. Additionally, Caesars Sportsbook is set to operate an on-premise retail sportsbook at Red Mile, upon receiving regulatory approvals, allowing guests to enjoy sports betting, gaming, and simulcasting all in one location.
With the launch of legalized sports wagering in Kentucky, Caesars Sportsbook patrons above the age of 21 will have the opportunity to couple their sports betting excitement with the unique rewards offered by Caesars Rewards. Every wager placed earns the bettor Tier Credits for status and Reward Credits that can be redeemed for Caesars Rewards experiences and discounted getaways at Caesars Entertainment locations nationwide.
Promoting responsible gaming, Caesars stands as an industry leader. As Caesars Sportsbook enters new states, it continues to stress responsible gaming education. The company recently implemented a 21+ gaming policy that restricts Caesars Rewards accounts to individuals over 21 and limits all domestic gaming, pari-mutuel, sports, and iGaming options to those 21 and older, where permitted by law. This 21 and older policy will be applied to all sports wagering operations by Caesars Sportsbook in Kentucky.
“Keeneland and Red Mile are iconic horse racing venues with an important legacy in the state of Kentucky,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital. “Customers in the region have long enjoyed our world-class Caesars destinations and, most recently, our horse racing wagering app, Caesars Racebook. Working with these historic institutions provides an unmatched opportunity to reach sports and racing fans in the state, and we look forward to working with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as we prepare to launch later this year.”
“Keeneland’s venture with Caesars Sportsbook holds exciting potential and furthers our mission to introduce new audiences to horse racing,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “Caesars is a globally respected brand, and we value their commitment to racing and their expertise in sports wagering.”
“At Red Mile Gaming & Racing we are excited to continue introducing this historic harness track to new audiences,” commented Red Mile Chief Operating Officer Shannon Cobb. “Opportunities with sports wagering on site, added to live racing, simulcasting, and HHR Games accomplish goals we have worked toward for several years. Our relationships with Keeneland and Caesars in this venture could not be more valued.”