HomeNewport Racing & Gaming

Newport Racing & Gaming

On this page, you will learn everything you need to know about Newport Racing & Gaming in Kentucky including how to get in contact with them, if there is sports betting there, and much more.

| Last Updated:
Table of contents

Located in Newport, KY, Newport Racing & Gaming offers Kentuckyans a host of gaming and entertainment options to enjoy throughout the year. Featuring historical horse racing machines, a restaurant, a stage for entertainment, and most recently added, sports betting, Newport Racing & Gaming in Kentucky is a one-stop shop for all things gaming in Northern Kentucky.

Let’s take a deeper dive into everything you need to know about Newport Racing & Gaming in Kentucky.

About Newport Racing & Gaming in KY

In association with Turfway Park located down the road in nearby Florence, KY, Newport Racing & Gaming opened its doors in October 2020. Part of the Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) portfolio, Newport Racing & Gaming offers residents of northern Kentucky and southern Ohio a chance to participate in gaming action of multiple types.

Open daily from 10:00 AM until 3:00 AM (5:00 AM on Friday/Saturday), visitors can enjoy everything from historical horse racing gaming machines, a simulcast facility to bet on live horse races, and as of September 2023, sports betting. New visitors to Newport Racing & Gaming in Kentucky are encouraged to join the Players Club, which offers you loyalty points for all money spent on the property.

New members today can get $100 in Free Play after they visit four times, and the membership comes with a dual membership at the nearby Turfway Park Racing & Gaming. Located just over the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Newport Racing & Gaming in KY brings a fun atmosphere for serious gamers and casual visitors alike.

Located in the Newport Shopping Center at Exit 3 off I-471, Newport Racing & Gaming in KY is a great place to catch a sporting event, especially a big horse race. With dozens of high-definition televisions spread out throughout the property, and sports betting readily available via self-service kiosks, the facility provides a fun atmosphere for watching your bets in action.

Is there sports wagering on offer at Newport Racing & Gaming?

Yes, there is sports wagering offered at Newport Racing & Gaming, arriving just in time for the start of the 2023 NFL season on September 7, 2023. The launch of sports betting at Newport Racing & Gaming came as part of a rollout of sportsbooks across Churchill Downs properties as licensed and authorized by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC).

As part of the legalization process, the KHRC approved six licenses for Churchill Downs, including Newport Racing & Gaming, as well as Churchill Downs Racetrack, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, Oak Grove Racing, Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, and Derby City Gaming & Hotel. The launch of retail sports betting came six months after sports betting legislation in Kentucky was inked in March 2023, as Governor Andy Bearsher put the final signature on House Bill 551.

After years of legislative tie-ups, Bearsher sealed the deal to make Kentucky sports betting legal once and for all for the first time in the state’s history. While mobile sports betting operators, such as FanDuel Sportsbook Kentucky and DraftKings Sportsbook Kentucky, went live right away, retail operations such as Newport Racing & Gaming were allowed to open in September 2023.

Which sportsbook has a partnership with Newport Racing & Gaming?

As part of an exclusive partnership with all retail sportsbooks open in Kentucky, as authorized by the KHRC, international odds service provider Kambi provides all sports betting odds to brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in KY. Almost all retail sportsbooks in KY opened in September 2023, with Kambi providing sports betting lines for all the top sports and sports leagues in the world, offering action on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, EPL, UFC, and more.

In addition to Newport Racing & Gaming, Kambi also provides the latest odds to Ellis Park Racetrack, Churchill Downs, Derby City Gaming & Hotel, Red Mile Racing & Gaming, Cumberland Run, Sandy’s Racing & Gaming, Oak Grove Racing & Gaming, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, and The Mint Gaming Hall at Cumberland Run. Unlike other states where national sports betting providers such as DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, or Bet365 compete in the retail sports betting space, as well as online, Kambi is the sole provider of retail sports betting odds in the state.

Another key differentiator with the sportsbook at Newport Racing & Gaming, and many of the others in the state of Kentucky, is that there are no live betting windows with tellers to take your action. Instead, the sportsbook at Newport Racing & Gaming relies on more than a dozen self-service sports betting kiosks where customers can place their own bets using intuitive on-screen prompts.

For bettors who prefer to bet on their mobile device, a QR code is available for scanning where visitors can download the Bet Builder App and link their sportsbook account on the go. Free for both Android and iOS devices, the Bet Builder App can be used throughout the Newport Racing & Gaming facility.

Other types of gambling at Newport Racing & Gaming

Despite not being a traditional casino, Newport Racing & Gaming offers its guests a host of gaming opportunities. Let’s take a look at a few of the types of gambling available at Newport Racing & Gaming Kentucky.

  • Historical Horse Racing (HHR) Machines: Similar to slot machines at traditional full-scale casinos, historical horse racing machines instead rely on historical racing results. Just like slot machines, each of them is themed, which at Newport Racing & Gaming includes themes such as Wheel of Fortune, Fire Link, Buffalo, and more.
  • Simulcast Betting: Unlike some of the other Churchill Downs properties, there is no physical race track at Newport Racing & Gaming. There is, however, a simulcast betting facility that allows visitors to bet on horse races happening throughout the country.
  • Sports Betting: Introduced at Newport Racing & Gaming on September 7, 2023, self-service sports betting kiosks were placed throughout the property. Bettors can also download the Bet Builder App to bet on their favorite sports from the comfort of their mobile device.
  • Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): One of the longest-running forms of gambling in Kentucky, DFS has been around since 2009 as DraftKings and FanDuel developed a foothold in the state. Today, you can use both DFS apps directly on the Newport Racing & Gaming property, as well as throughout the state of Kentucky.

Entertainment and cuisine options at Newport Racing & Gaming

For visitors to Newport Racing & Gaming, there is more than just participating in gaming, there are plenty of amenities to enjoy. Let’s take a closer look at the entertainment and cuisine options at Newport Racing & Gaming.

  • Live Simulcast Racing: Patons of Newport Racing & Gaming can bet on and then watch live horse races from tracks across the country.
  • Live Music: Every weekend, local bands perform at Newport Racing & Gaming, as visitors can enjoy free music from some of their favorite local artists.
  • Smiley’s Bar & Grille: One of the better restaurants in the Newport, KY area, Smiley’s Bar & Grille offers a wide variety of American food including burgers, bar bites, salads, and more. For drinkers, there is a full-service bar offering specialty cocktails, draft beer, and a great selection of wine.

Contact & opening hours


Address: 1723 Monmouth Street, Newport, KY 41071
Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 AM
Website: www.newportrg.com
E-mail address: [email protected]
Phone number: +1 859-647-4700