We recently reported the total earnings from the Kentucky Derby and how much the state handle took in. The numbers represented strong growth for the state, and pushed Kentucky sports betting forward, as bettors continued to place wagers. Now, the reports for the sports betting operators have come out, and DraftKings has taken the top spot as the most popular sports betting operator in the state.
A Market Built on Volume
Kentucky's regulated sportsbooks have posted steady handle growth through the first half of 2026, with monthly wagers ranging from $240 million to just over $300 million. Nine operators currently hold licenses in the state, each tethered to a partner racetrack under Kentucky's unique track-based system. That structure has not stopped the market from consolidating at the top, with two national brands pulling well ahead of the pack.
DraftKings Pulls Away From Fanduel
DraftKings has led the state's handle through the first six months of confirmed breakdowns so far this year. In January, DraftKings posted $107.4 million against FanDuel's $101.1 million. By March, the gap widened considerably, with DraftKings taking $111.1 million and a 37.73 percent share of the market, compared to $85.1 million for FanDuel. Bet365 has emerged as a steady third-place operator, posting $38.1 million in March. DraftKings dominated again in April with approximately $85.2 million, while FanDuel came in at $66.9 million.
May found similar results as DraftKings garnered $89.3 million, while FanDuel closed the gap, taking in $75.8 million. The remaining operators, including bet365, Fanatics, Circa, theScore Bet and Prime, are splitting a much smaller share of the state's total action. The June 2026 reports showed DraftKings pulling in approximately $85 million, while FanDuel inched close behind at about $62.7 million. The third-place spot went to bet365, which came in at about $25.1 million. BetMGM posted solid numbers in June, coming in with a handle of about $15.8 million.
Growth Compared to Last Year
The lead change matters because it was not always this way. In January 2025, FanDuel actually topped the state with $96.2 million in handle, narrowly ahead of DraftKings at $95 million. One year later, DraftKings had not only caught up but built a real cushion, growing its share while FanDuel's total slipped relative to the market. That shift reflects a broader pattern showing up across the country. DraftKings and FanDuel together have controlled a higher concentration of handle in Kentucky than in most other mobile-only states, often combining for close to 70 percent of all online wagers in a single month. Analysts have pointed to Kentucky's smaller operator field and DraftKings' marketing presence in Louisville and Lexington as reasons the gap has grown wider than in comparable markets.
What This Means Going Forward
Kentucky's numbers show a market still finding its footing, even as one operator pulls ahead of the field. Bettors searching for the best Kentucky sports betting apps will find DraftKings sitting at the top of the list for the first half of 2026, backed by consistent handle growth and a widening lead over its closest competitor. Part of that success comes down to product depth, since DraftKings has built a same-game parlay builder and live betting interface that keeps users engaged across every major sport. The operator's partnership with Cumberland Run has also given it a strong retail and marketing foothold in two of the state's largest population centers. Whether FanDuel can close the gap in the second half of the year remains one of the more interesting storylines left in Kentucky's growing sports betting market.
