Churchill Downs closes its sportsbook. Can you still place a bet on the Kentucky Derby?

AI-assisted summary
• Churchill Downs racetrack in Kentucky has closed its in-person sportsbook due to low profitability.
• Despite the closure, placing bets on horse races at Churchill Downs, including the Kentucky Derby, is still possible.
• Fans can place bets at mutuel-clerk windows, self-service betting machines, or through mobile wagering platforms.

Earlier this year, Churchill Downs racetrack closed its sportsbook, an in-person venue where a sports fan can wager on various sporting competitions.

"With 98% of sports betting made on mobile platforms such as FanDuel, there simply isn’t a profitable path forward for us to sustain profitability as a retail operator," Churchill Downs racetrack spokesman Darren Rogers said at the time.

Simulcast and live race wagering continues at Churchill Downs, as it did before the sportsbook opened at Churchill Downs in 2023 after Kentucky legalized sports betting.

So, what does that mean for your Kentucky Derby bet? Here's what to know:

What is a sportsbook?

A sportsbook is a venue where a sports fan can wager on various sporting competitions. Bets can be placed on everything from yearly major sporting events to regular season games, on sports such as golf, football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, horse racing, greyhound racing, boxing and more.

Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Kentucky. Kentucky in-person sports betting launched on Sept. 7, 2023, at retail locations and online on Sept. 28 of that year after Gov. Andy Beshear signed HB 551 into law in March of that year.

Approved online sports betting providers in Kentucky include bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Penn Sports Interactive, which is ESPN BET, USA Today previously reported.

Can I place a bet in person at the Kentucky Derby?

Yes, you can place a bet in person during live horse racing events at Churchill Downs, including the Kentucky Derby, which this year is held on Saturday, May 3.

Race-goers will still be able to walk up to mutuel-clerk windows or use self-service betting machines to place a bet on a horse race. Fans can also skip any lines by using mobile wagering.

How do you place a bet at the Kentucky Derby?

There are three main bet types — win, place and show.

Here's what each bet means:

• WIN – If your horse finishes first, you win.
• PLACE – If your horse finishes first or second, you win.
• SHOW – If your horse finishes first, second, or third, you win.

With money in hand as you approach the mutuel teller, state the race you're betting on, the amount of money you want to wager, and the type of bet you are placing. Finally, give the horse's (or horses') program numbers. It should sound something like "Churchill Downs, Race 11, $2 to win #4."

Be sure to take your ticket from the tell and keep it safe. If you're a winner, you'll need that ticket to collect the winnings.

When is the 2025 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs?

The 2025 Spring Meet, which includes the Kentucky Derby, begins this year on Saturday, April 26.

When is the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

The 2025 Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 3, 2025. The official Kentucky Derby post time is 6:57 p.m.

Reach growth and development reporter Matthew Glowicki at mglowicki@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4000. Reporters Killian Baarlaer and Jason Frakes contributed to this report.