Sports bettors of all kinds have a new place to indulge themselves with the opening of Circa Sports’ new sportsbook at The Mint at Kentucky Downs Gaming Hall in Franklin, Ky.
The Mint held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Aug. 20, welcoming state and local officials and inviting the media to show off the facility.
“We’re so thrilled to be here today in this wonderful facility,” said Steve Thurmond, executive director of the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce. “They continue to make this a destination point and do a terrific job providing entertainment for this area.”
Among The Mint’s new features are:
80-foot viewing experience: Fans can watch all the gameday action on an 80-foot-wide LED screen, complete with a 31-foot-wide odds board displaying real-time lines and updates;
Premium seating options: Relax in comfort in one of 113 stadium-style seats, luxury recliners or three tiers of booth-style seating;
Flexible betting access: The Circa Sports Kentucky sportsbook features five staffed betting stations, including an ADA-accessible station, and four self-service kiosks. Three self-service kiosks are located within The Mint Kentucky Downs casino for ultimate convenience; and
Live broadcast studio: A Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN) broadcast studio is housed within the book, where live on-air talent, analysis and gameday content will be captured daily. Founded in Las Vegas, VSiN provides coverage across major sports through broadcasts, podcasts and digital content, all designed to inform and empower the betting audience.
The expanded area also includes a restaurant and gaming machines for those who may want other entertainment options besides sports.
“It’s about our community, state leaders who supported our vision,” said Johan Mirkovic, vice president and general manager of The Mint at Kentucky Downs. “Everything we’re putting into this place, we’re not doing it because we want to say we did this. We’re doing it for the community, for our team members and for our state.”
Circa Sports was founded in 2019 by CEO Derek Stevens and has become known for featuring some of the gaming industry’s top oddsmakers with a menu featuring some of the best odds in the country. The brand is also available via a mobile app throughout the state of Kentucky.
Circa Sports, which operates the world’s largest sportsbook in Las Vegas, also currently operates facilities in Nevada, Illinois, Iowa and Colorado.
“Less than two years ago, I was told I needed to look at what they had going on here in Franklin, Kentucky,” Stevens said. “I was so impressed with what they had done with The Mint, I was impressed with the growth of Kentucky Downs… Then I was enamored with the regulatory environment, a lower tax rate… I’m excited to be here.”
Mike Palm, Vice President of Operations for Circa Sports, noted special events designed to draw fans this fall. Customers can win the use of a free booth at The Mint for each Sunday of the 2025 NFL season, and one lucky fan will win a trip to Las Vegas to see the Tennessee Titans take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 12.
The Circa sportsbook is expected to bring 50 new jobs, making over 400 total jobs at the facility, which is just over the Tennessee state line.
Franklin Mayor Larry Dixon praised The Mint’s impact on his community, saying, “It’s to see what you all have brought… You’re bringing employment, you’re bringing tourism. It’s a great asset to our community.”
For more information on The Mint’s sports betting options, visit themintkentuckydowns.com/circa-sports-kentucky/.
Contributing: Staff reports
