Wednesday, April 15, 2026
    More
    Quick Hits

    Derby Decline

    By
    Sep 07, 2020 | 07:23 pm
    UPDATED Sep 08, 2020 | 03:55 pm
    Authentic
    Alton Strupp/Courier Journal via Imagn

    Kentucky Derby betting declined 52% compared to 2019 as Authentic secured an upset victory on Saturday. Churchill Downs reported $79.4 million was bet this weekend, down from the record $165.5 million bet last year.

    There were no fans present — a stark contrast to the more than 150,000 people in attendance last year — which meant the track missed the average of $22.5 million wagered in-person on Derby day. Also not included were Nevada sportsbooks, which didn’t take part in the Churchill Downs pool over an ongoing data fees dispute with the track.

    NBC Sports’ broadcast of the 2020 Kentucky Derby on Saturday averaged 8.4 million viewers, a 49% drop from the 16.3 million viewers who watched the 2019 edition aired in its traditional May spot. That is the smallest audience for the race on record — the previous low was 9.1 million viewers in 2000.

    Last Five Years of Kentucky Derby Betting Totals:

    2020: $79.4 million

    2019: $165.5 million

    2018: $149.9 million

    2017: $139.2 million

    2016: $124.7 million

    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Sign up for
    The Memo Newsletter

    Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Linkedin
    Whatsapp
    Copy Link
    Link Copied
    Link Copied

    What to Read
    by

    Pile of Famous Athletes Quietly Invested in Kalshi Months Ago
    WNBA stars Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart are among the group.
    Jan 14, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., delivers remarks during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on the expected nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.
    by

    ‘Astonishing and Appalling’: Senator Blasts MLB-Polymarket Deal
    A Connecticut senator says prediction markets are part of an “addiction conspiracy.”
    by

    Bettors Target ‘Microbets’ With Suits Against FanDuel, DraftKings
    Plaintiffs’ losses range from $170,000 to more than $1.8 million.
    by

    The Political Backlash to Prediction Markets Has Arrived
    Lawmakers are lining up to oppose sports markets and combat insider trading.

    Featured Today

    blake griffin
    by

    Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video
    The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
    Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
    April 10, 2026

    Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall
    The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
    April 9, 2026

    College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans
    “We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
    April 8, 2026

    Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?
    The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.

    More in Quick Hits
    patrick_mahomes
    by

    Less Than Super TV Viewership
    CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
    person_playing_cricket
    December 23, 2020

    Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.
    More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
    man_riding_stationary_bike
    December 28, 2020

    Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment
    The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
    Sponsored

    From Gold Medalist to Business Founder
    Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
    woman_holding_hockey_stick
    December 23, 2020

    NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports
    It will be the first time professional women’s hockey games are shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.
    antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
    December 23, 2020

    ‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension
    Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
    December 22, 2020

    Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’
    “It’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
    December 22, 2020

    Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand
    Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.