In Kentucky, sports betting has been legalized, giving you access to some of the world’s greatest betting operat🔯🤪ors! Read on to discover the top sportsbooks in the state, as well as any relevant laws and regulations.
- 1 Best Betting Sites for Sports Betting in Kentucky
- 2 Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
- 3 Kentucky Sports Betting Timeline
- 4 Sports Betting Revenue and Taxation in Kentucky
- 5 Top Sportsbooks in Kentucky
- 6 Kentucky Sports Betting Apps
- 7 Kentucky Sports Betting Promotions
- 8 Kentucky Sports Betting Law and Regulations
- 9 Legal Sportsbooks in Kentucky
- 10 Best Local Sports Teams To Bet on
- 11 Benefits of Regulated Kentuc🔯ky Online Sport🌌s Betting
- 12 How To Bet on Sports in Kentucky
- 13 Kentucky Sports Betting Facts
- 14 Kentucky Sports Betting Handle
- 15 Responsible Gaming in Kentucky
- 16 States With Legal Sports Betting
- 17 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 18 Kentucky Resources
- 19 kentucky sports betting FAQs
Best Betting Sites for Sports Betting in Kentucky
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
Yes. The Kentucky Sports Betting Bill, also known as Kentucky House Bill 551 was signed into law on March 31st, 2023, with online sportsbooks launching on September 28th that same year.
Land-based sportsbooks had already opened weeks earlier on September 7th, just before the 2023 NFL season, so online operators could provideౠ betting lines just in time fꦏor the Detroit Lions taking on the Green Day Packers.
Meanwhile, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is responsible for licensing and overseeing online and retail sports betting within the state; h🌃owever, it does not make any allowances for casino betting.
Kentucky Sports Betting Timeline
March 17th, 1875: The first ever Kentucky Derby 🏅saw Olive🔴r Lewis ride thoroughbred Aristides to victory.
March 1933: Pari-mutuel betting is recognized at state level.
April 4th, 1989: The first legal Kentucky Lo🌸ttery tickets are sold.
November 4th, 2013: Kenoꦯ is included in the games available through the state lottery.
May 2018: PASPA is struck down, allowing states to decide for themselves whether sports betting should be lega𒆙l in their jurisdiction.
2019: Throughout the year, state legislators in Kentucky begin to call for regulation of fantasy betting and ga𓆏mes of skil🍒l.
April 15th, 2022: The state fails🅺 to vote on House Bill 606, which would have legalized sports betting despite being appr꧋oved on March 18th that year by the state house.
March 31st, 2023: House Bill 551 is s♔igned into la♑w by Governor Andy Beshear, making online and retail sports betting legal.
June 28th, 2023: The law officially comes into effect.
September 9th, 2023: Retail sports betting launches in the state.
September 28th, 2023: Online sportsbooks are🌞 launched at 6am that mꩵorning.
Sports Betting Revenue and Taxation in Kentucky
With sportsbooks in the state having taken in over $656 million in wagers at the time of writing,♉ it’s fair to say that sports betting in Kentucky has been extremely profitable thus far!
That’s possible because not only is online sports betting legal in Kentucky, but it’s also taxed. The Bluegrass State has a competitive tax rate of 9.75% for all in-person bets and 14.75% for all online wagers. This is important because they’ve avoided a situation as seenꦑ in New York, where excessive taxation affects the bookmakers available and promotions offered. It ensures that legal sports betting Kentucky will be able to offer the best.
You are also subject to a tax on gambling winnings in Kentucky, based on the aggregate amount each year. In fact, betting sites and sports betting apps Kentucky must withhold 24% of payments for the IRS on any amount above $5000, and you will be given Form W-2G as a record of your winnings and payments withheld. The same form may be provided if you win more than $1,200 on horse racing or $600 on other forms of gambling if the winnings a🐓re more than 300 times the amount wagered.
Even winnings from any kind of lottery are taxable income, with no minimum amount or threshold. That’s right – if you win so much as a dollar, you need to declare it.
Top Sportsbooks in Kentucky
Although legal sports betting in Kentucky hasn’t been around for all that long, you'll still have access to a number of excellent operators. Here, I’m going to showcase 5 examples of 🐻the best, and why I think they’re so special.
1. FanDuel – More Than Just a Fantasy
FanDuel is best known as being among the top fantasy betting sites in the world. And they certainly live up to that reputation.
Kentuckians can enjoy a creative and generous selection of fantasy betting options ideal꧒ even for newcomers, for whom the whole concept is a new online betting adventure.
In fact, with a broad collection of competitive odds, including tons of bet boosts and the spectacular “Parlay Hub”, even the industry i🤪cons of traditional sports betting have some serious competition.
The site's useability helps set it apart here too. How many other platforms offer “Free to play” and “Learn to bet” options so everyone can hit the ground running? An astonishingly accessible and comprehensive sports betting experience, suitable regardless of your le𒉰vel of experience!
- Fantastically fun fantasy betting
- The ideal choice for newcomers
- Top-tier traditional sportsbook
- Some may find level of assistance to be hand-holding
2. BetMGM – Custom-Made for Kentucky
One of the coolest things about BetMGM is they don’t jus🅺t operate ac🎶ross various states, but also tailor their offerings to each region.
This means that Kentuckians will find everything designed to their own sporting tastes, from the promotions on offer to the sports most prominently disꦍplayed⛦.
But wherever you’re from in the US, one thing you can rest assured of is that BetMGM offers great markets on truly global selection of events. Search through their top sports, and you’ll find everything from European footba♍ll and the latest NBA season to the Superbowl and niche snooker tournaments on the other side of the w♑orld.
Best of all, the quality of their odds never wavers in either its variety or comไpetitiveness througho🔯ut.
They’re especially good for their constantly updating selection of live markets, complete with statℱs, graphics, and livestreaming where possible. Back all that up with a classic design, both 🔥aesthetically and structurally, and you end up with a breezy sports betting experience full of hidden depths!
- Kentucky specific version of site available
- Fantastic live experience
- Beautifully designed site and app
- No esports available
3. bet365 – A Truly Global Icon
Unlike many of the others on this list, bet365 are not best known as an American sportsbook. But, because of the immense reach of the events they cover, and the depth of the markets per event (I’ve witnessed literally several hundreds of odds on big games), tha💙t just means you’re getting th𓆏e best of both worlds.
If you’re someone of international tastes, I can’t imagine there’s many events small or obscure enough that you won’t find them here if they’🍬re available to bet on anywhere. This includes Kentucky sports, as they can also stand toe-to-toe with American operators in that regard too.
They might not have the user-friendly facilities of FanDuel – practically no others have – but I do think it’s worth praising just how intuitive and cleverly structured bet365 is as a site. It’s so impressive to be able to hold so many betting options without causing confusion or breaking a technical sweat even when livestreaming.
They are a true all-rounder, with incredibly generou﷽s promotions, elite odds offers, round-the-clock customer serv꧃ice, and a deservedly impeccable reputation.
- A jack-of-all-trades betting site
- Probably the largest selection of markets here
- Buttery-smooth livestreams
- Old fashioned aesthetic won’t suit all
4. ESPN.Bet – All American Greatness
I’m going to start here with what ESPN.Bet lacks, because it’s important to make clear their target audience. While they do cover some global sporting events, that’s not their forte. They are about American football, basketball, hockey, combat sports, baseball and all those other all-American juggernauts. And they provide for a mainstream Kentucky audience with terrific depth.
For instance, the lower leagues of college basketball are covered here in more depth than on most alternatives. Furthermore, I’ve been really impressed by how ESPN.Bet stands up to more experienced competition with excellent round the clock live chat customer service, and ꧅design quality up there with the best Kentuc♏ky sports betting can provide.
This American-centric focus also allows them to provide lots of events-focused promotions, which when backed with ESPN’s nigh untouchable play-by-play notes to create a truly immersive experience.
- Fantastic if you’re primarily after American sports markets
- Mature, accomplished design
- Great play-by-play coverage
- Less international events covered
5. Caesars – A Warm Welcome Backed by Impressive Consistency
I have to say this might be my favorite first impression of any online sports betting Kentucky operator.
I step through the virtual doors, and it tells me “You’re in Kentucky” and showcases everything that’s on available in a snap: a huge welcome offer, immediate access to arguably the best sports betting app Kentucky has to offer, information on how to bet for newcomers, the “Caesars Rewards” scheme, and more.
And it doesn’t stop there. While lots of betting sites kick off with a generosity which wanes soon after signing up, that's not the case with Caesars. Their William Hill partnership has helped them be an international option on the level with bet365, complete with ultracompetitive odds bolstered by a promo pagܫe which never stops giving.
This is🐲 thanks to tons of event specific promotions, consistent rewards with fair terms throughout, which help them really stand out in terms of both the volume and quality of promotional giveaways.
Take broad market variety, top-tier design standards, odds competitiveness, and great customer service, top that off with plenty of promotional sprinkles, and you’ll find m♐e to be a very satisfied customer!
- Terrific mobile option
- Consistent promotions and rewards
- Versatile market selection
- Few live betting features
Kentucky Sports Betting Apps
When Kentucky's sports betting🌺 bill was passed, it also covered mobile sportsbooks. This means you can enjoy the greatest sportsbooks via dedicated apps and optimized mobile browser versions. Below are my top recommendations for the best betting apps in the Bluegrass State.
FanDuel apps on iOS and Android
Not only does this operator provide some of the best traditional and fantasy betting in Kentucky, but also does so on the go. Their trademark user-friendly design is every bit as good on mobile, with 🌼extra interacꦍtive features to boot!
Caesars app on iOS and Android
Considering the immensity of the betting options available at Caesars, the challenge would be to transition all that 💦content without impacting the use🧸r experience. This is an astonishing feat of design, with a huge number of sports made incredibly easy to find. They’re especially impressive on live markets, where all the stats and live streams share space without a hint of technical slowdown.
bet365 app on iOS and Android
A world-class mobile exp😼erience worthy of one of the industries greatest jack-of-all-trades. If you check out either the Google Play or Apple App Store, you will find thousands of satisfied customers. In fact, at the time of writing, they’re averaging🌺 an astounding 4.7 out of 5 with iOS users!
ESPN.Bet app on iOS and Android
Many apps are an excellent way of experiencing what a sportsbook has to offer. ESPN.Bet might be one of the few, except perhaps dedicated mobile platfor💜ms, which I would say is ideally suited to the small screen. An incredibly smooth interface makes the most of their American-centric market focus, including an astounding number of stats such as records and standing info on the main screen across top leagues.
Caesars sportsbook app on iOS and Android
If you’re more of a casual player🌱 for whom simplicity, speed and efficiency is paramount, then the Caesars app might just be perfect. The home screen has all your top options including live options, parlay deals, and boosts available at a glance. They are especially good for complicated parlays, with plenty of pre-made selections to choose from, alongside the freedom to craft your own.
Kentucky Sports Betting Promotions
In all honesty, every one of the recommendations above for online sports betting Kentucky has a broad selection of excellent promotions. But these are extra special. I’ve found what I think is the pinnacle of sports betting Kentucky promotions, available right now.
BetMGM: Get Up To $1500 Paid Back In Bonus Bets If You Don’t Win
It’s important to note that a great welcome offer shouldn’t just provide real, tangible value. That means that you will actually be left with some form of real advantage and/or reward once all the terms are complete. But also, a great welcome bonus needs to be an ideal way of trying o🎃ut a sitꦍe.
This newcomer offer provides up to $1500 refund in free bets if your first bet fails, and is ideal. It means you get a second chance at initial success.
Simply sign up, download the app, and place your bet of $10 or more. You’ll get your wager amount back in the event of a losing wager as a free bet available to use on any straight bet or parlay within 7 days. The broad limits also mean that whether you’re a high roller or a more casual player, you’ve got a perfect way to get started with onܫe of Kentucky’s finest operators.
FanDuel: Bet $5 Get $150
I think of this as the ideal welcome ofꦿfer for those of you who are confident in your initial bet.
A refund offer, like the one offered by BetMGM is immensely generous, but does only provide benefits if you lose. What FanDuel offers in contrast is a huge amount of bonuses should you win. All you need to do is sign up to FanDuel and deposit $10, and then make your first moneyline wager of $5 or more, and you could receive $150 worth of bonuses if your wager is a winner.
These bonus bets, which do not need to be utilized in one lump sum, will then become available from your bet slip to use on anything but round robins. That’s a lot of scratch to explore🎐 the immense betting options available at FanDuel.
Kentucky Sports Betting Law and Regulations
US laws surrounding online gambling can be incredibly c🍬omplicated. Luckily for you, I've broken down all the key points relevᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚant to anyone betting online on sportsbooks in Kentucky.
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Retail sports betting and mobile sports betting becaไme legal on the 9th September and the 28th September, 2023.
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Mobile sports betting comes with a business tax rat🅘e of 14.25%, retail sports betting is lower at 9.75%.
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All betting winnings are taxable.
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Up to 27 spo𝓰rts betting apps may be lice🦄nsed by the KHRC.
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The law requires all opera🐻tors to have responsible gaming measures in place.
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The minimum legal betting age in the state is 18 y🌟ears old.
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Kentucky casino gamb🃏l෴ing is not part of this legislation.
Legal Sportsbooks in Kentucky
Kentucky's online sports betting scene, with up to 27 licenses potentially available, has not yet reached its peak. However, you don't need to wait for more options to emerge,𓂃 with those available already among the industry's best. Currently, this includes the following:
Kentucky Online and Mobile Sportsbooks and Their Land-Based Partners
Casino | Available Online in Kentucky Now? | Kentucky Land Based Partner |
---|---|---|
bet365 | Yes | Sandy’s Gaming and Racing |
FanDuel | Yes | Turfway Park Racing and Gaming, Newport Racing and Gaming |
DraftKings | Yes | Cumberland Run |
Caesars | Yes | Red Mile Racing |
BetMGM | Yes | Sandy’s Gaming and Racing |
ESPN.Bet | Yes | Ellis Park Racing and Gaming |
Fanatics | Yes | Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel |
Circa Sports | No | Cumberland Run |
Eligible To Be Land-based Kentucky Sportsbooks
Casino | Location |
---|---|
Churchill Downs | 700 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208 |
Derby City Gaming | 140 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 |
Ellis Park | WFC3+2Q9 Ellis Park Race Track, 3300 US-41 N, Henderson, KY 42420 |
Keeneland | 4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, Kentucky |
Kentucky Downs | 5629 Nashville Rd, Franklin, KY 42134 |
The Mint Gaming Hall Bowling Green | 2475 Scottsville Rd Ste. 101 & 102, Bowling Green, KY 42104 |
The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run | 777 Winners Lane, Corbin, KY 40701 |
Newport Racing and Gaming | 1723 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071 |
Oak Grove Gaming and Racing | 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262 |
The Red Mile | 1200 Red Mile Rd, Lexington, KY 40504 |
Sandy’s Gaming and Racing | 10699 US-60, Ashland, KY 41102 |
Turfway Park | 7500 Turfway Rd, Florence, KY 41042 |
Popular Sports to Bet On In Kentucky
As in all other US states, certain sports in Kentucky are more popular than others. The below three enjoy passionate local supportꦆ, meaning you'll find better odds and a greater likelihood of event-specific promotions at your ch꧋osen online sportsbook.
Basketball
No other sport has the history nor popularity of basketball in Kentucky. With the Kentucky Wildcats earning eight men’s championships, two women’s championships, and several dozen conference championships, their record is truly formidable. And the efforts on the court are met with the enthusiasm of the fans, with millions tuning in for ꦗkey games.
American Football
Considering how beloved it is throughout the entire country, it should be little surprise that American Football is also one of the most popular sports in Kentucky. Even without an NFL team, there’s still plenty of fantastic offers and betting markets in the state, and the Super Bowl itself, of course, remains a highlight of any American sports fans betting calendar – especially with large state support going to the neighboring Cincinnati Bengals.
Soccer
Something that sets Kentucky apart from many US states is a love of soccer. Th🧜at’s why it’s so great that there are several excellent sportsbooks, with ꧟truly international credentials capable of providing the best odds on international tournaments. They even have their own teams, Louisville City Football Club, which plays in the USL Championship, and Racing Louisville FC, of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Best Local Sports Teams To Bet on
Here are 5 teams which showcase Kentucky's sporting spirit, many of which will be available to bet on fᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚrom top bookmakers available in the state.
1. Kentucky Wildcats (Basketball)
Arguably the most celebrated college basketball team of all time, the Kentucky Wildcats are a simple answer to the question of why the state has such a long-lasting love affair with the sport. Their credentials are undeniable, with the most victories, best all-time winning percentage, and eight NCAA cham🦹pionships to their n💦ame.
2. Kentucky Wildcats (Football)
ܫ Wildcats doesn’t just refer to basketball, with the University of Kentucky’s top team sharing the name as the💧y showcase their skills in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Eastern Division. Their ability to recruit the top emerging talents has made them one to watch for college football fans, and with a history which dates back to 1881, they are a part of the state's immensely storied sporting history.
3. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Basketball)
Kentucky are exceptional when it comes to basketball at multiple levels, which reinforces the sport’s popularity acros💟s the state. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers may not have the prestige of the Wildcats, but they are an impressive part of the history of the NCAA, with the 8th best ever winning percentage.
4. Louisville Bats (Baseball)
An affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, Minor League Baseball’s Lo🐽uisville Bats may have won their last AA league title in 2001, but they reman an exciting breeding ground for young talent and a fantastic way for local Kentuckians to enjoy a day out at the ball g✨ame.
5. Louisville City (Soccer)
Playing in the USL Championship, the second top tier of American soccer, Louisville City are the only team in the league to win back-to-back championships. They also fell just short in 2019 and are looki☂ng to regain their crown, if you needed a reason to check out the efforts of this immensely popular embodiment of Kentucky’s passion for soccer.
Benefits of Regulated Kentucky Online Sports Betting
The impact of the legalization of online betting in Kentucky has changed the entire landscape of what’s possible for sports gambling fans in the state. Here’s why.
It’s legal and safe – This may seem obvious, but the biggest benefit of sports betting’s legalization is that you can now bet on sports with legal recompense should payment not be forthcoming. Furthermore, you can do so on bookmakers known to live up to high security standards due to the requirements of obtaining a license from the KHRC.
A higher quality experience – The competitꩵion amongst top bookmakers means better everything, from cဣustomer service and design quality to live streams and odds standards.
The ability to play with American currency – The only way of accessing sportsbooks in Kentucky before the passing of House Bill 551 was to illegally access sites which utilize crypto and play there anonymously. This is not only unwise from a security perspective, but it also requires access to crypto. Now, however, you can bet with the American dollar, allowing you to select a viable payment method that works for you personally.
Promotional opportunities – I’m so happy to see so many bonuses available for Kentucky sports betting. These can include enormously generous welcome offers, free bets, acca insurance, bet boosts, VIP programs, and anything else the operator has the imagination to offer. They might also be specifically tailored to Kentucky betting tastes for a more targeted experience.
More local sports coverage – Betting sites aimed at Kentuckians means there’s a better chance of smaller events and teams being covered. This is incredibly important for an area like Kentucky, which has tons of great sporting options but not a whole lot in the way of professional teams.
How To Bet on Sports in Kentucky
If you’re a Kentuckian totally new to betting online, the good news is that it’s all very simple. Ju๊st follo💃w these steps below:
Step One: Choose an operator
Knowing where you’ll be betting is the first step. Consider what you want out of an operator, then read my recommendations abov💎e to find your new favorite.
Step Two: Sign up
Registration forms should be clearly advertised and simple to fill in. They usually just require a few key pieces of information such as your name, address, e-mail, phonꦜe number and date of birth, for instance.
Step Three: Make a deposit
Usually after registration you’ll be able to make a deposit. Simply select the payment method relevant to you – this is typically available via your profile. Fill in the relevant information and tell them how much you wish to deposit. Confirm and you’re good to go.
Step Four: Make a bet
Search through the markets and pick one which works for you. Click on the market, and your selection should appear on your bet slip. Provide the amount you wish to bet. Returns should now be made clear. If you’re happy with w🅰hat’s being offered, you can confirm your bet.
Step Five: Withdraw your winnings
When you’re ready, and when you have the cash, you can withdraw your winnings. Just like your deposit, this requires so𝄹me basic information and an amount. Do note that some withdrawals can take several day💟s.
Kentucky Sports Betting Facts
Launch date | September 28th, 2023 |
Legal age | 18 |
Retail betting | Yes |
Online sports betting | Yes |
Esports betting | Yes |
College betting | Yes |
Mobile betting | Yes |
Taxable winnings | All winnings are taxable |
Geolocation services | Yes |
Regulator | Kentucky Horse Racing Commission |
Kentucky Sports Betting Handle
Kentucky sports betting has gotten off to a gigantic start with over $4 million a month in tax revenue since its launch in Septembe🤪r 2023. This includes in sports bets in October.
Of course, this is an ongoing process, but I only see this trend continuing and perhaps growing even larger. Who knows what derby sports betting 🐲could bring in! Regardless, all signs suggests a bright future indeed.
Responsible Gaming in Kentucky
For sports betting in Kentucky to be legal, there’s a broad se♔lection of strict criteria operators must follow. For instance, there’re restrictions on how they can advertise, and your data must be protected by encrypt🌟ion. It’s also important that they provide the tools necessary to facilitate responsible gambling, such as providing access to external help such as that offered by the .
States With Legal Sports Betting
With the Kentucky sports betting bill, the Bluegrass State joined over 30 others to offer legalized online sports gambling. The following is a list of legal online sports betting states, including the newly legal Kentucky:
ThePuntersPage Final Say
While betting in Kentucky is still in its infancy with more great betting sites still to come, the fact is what they offer right now is well worth the attention of any sports fan.
The small selection of bookmakers already available can offer versatile, competitive odds on top platforms enhanced by magnificent bonus offerings. All safe and legal. If you’ve been looking forward to being able to bet oꦅn your favorite sports, there’s no need to wait any longer!
Kentucky Resources
kentucky sports betting FAQs
It’s already legal! Online sports betting became legal in Kentucky back on March 31st, 2023, and was legally available on both licensed land-based sportܫsbook and online mobile sportsbook by September 28th, 2023.
There are currently 12 betting apps available in Kentucky, as each of their six operators offer apps on both iOS and Android. These include b🉐et365, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, B﷽etMGN, ESPN.Bet, and Fanatics.
You can bet on sports legally from anywhere within the state on bothꦐ licensed online operators and retail sportsbooks.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission oversees the licensing and legꦇalities of sports betting in the state.
You must be at least 18 years of age to legally bet on sports in Ke♉ntucky.