Kentucky sportsbooks took about $193.1 million in wagers during August 2025, led by online apps that made up nearly all the action. Online handle reached $187.5 million, while retail books added roughly $5.54 million.
Adjusted gross revenue (AGR) totaled about $22.1 million, producing an estimated $3.11 million in state excise tax for the month. The figures below come from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s official report.
Where the Money Came From
Most Kentucky sports betting happened online. Statewide online handle finished at $187.5 million, with AGR of $21.37 million and Kentucky excise tax of about $3.04 million. Retail locations contributed $5.54 million in wagers, $744,230 in AGR, and $70,376 in state tax. Together, that puts August just shy of the $200 million mark in total handle and above $22 million in AGR for the month.
Among online operators, FanDuel KY recorded just over $60.1 million in wagers. DraftKings KY and bet365 KY also posted large totals, with Caesars KY and BetMGM KY in the next group.
Smaller but active books included Fanatics, ESPN BET (Penn Sports), Circa, and Prime. The retail market remains modest, with Churchill Downs and other tracks each contributing a slice of the monthly handle and revenue.
The tax math follows Kentucky’s rules: 14.25% on taxable online AGR and 9.75% on taxable retail AGR. In August, operators also reported federal excise tax payments of roughly $454,496 online and $13,391 at retail, which are accounted for before state tax is calculated. After winnings and federal excise tax, the combined AGR is what drives the state tax paid.
What the August Numbers Mean
August is traditionally a bridge month between baseball season and the start of college and pro football. Even so, Kentucky sportsbooks generated strong preseason interest, signaling that the market is building momentum heading into September.
With NFL and college football now underway, handle typically climbs, which could push Kentucky past the $200 million threshold in the fall.
Operator mix also matters. The presence of multiple national brands—DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, BetMGM, and Caesars—gives bettors many choices and helps keep promotions competitive.
Newer or niche options like Circa and Fanatics add depth, which may help the market grow beyond the busiest sports months. Over time, watch whether smaller operators gain share or if the top two continue to dominate most of the handle and AGR.
For the state, August’s ~$3.11 million in excise tax is a steady contribution. As football season progresses, that monthly number can rise quickly, especially during high-interest weeks and postseason play.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s report also shows how important mobile wagering has become for the state’s betting economy; retail handle was under 3% of the total in August. Expect that split to stay similar unless new on-site sportsbooks open in high-traffic areas or special events drive more in-person betting.
In short, Kentucky closed the summer with nearly $200 million in sports bets and just over $22 million in taxable revenue. With football now in full swing, the next few reports will reveal how high the commonwealth’s betting market can climb in its second full season.
