Kentucky Betting Sites: Current and Future Sports Betting Potential
Players who are from the state of Kentucky or are simply eager to place bets from within the state may be aware that there are complicated laws surrounding legal Kentucky sports betting. Looking for the best betting sites in Kentucky? On this page, we’ll give you all of the essential information you need to know about why sports betting is not yet legal in Kentucky.
Though there are no Kentucky betting sites for sports currently operating in the state, we’ll also give readers insight into what the future of Kentucky sports betting may look like. We’ll also provide you with a detailed look at the history of the laws surrounding betting in Kentucky, plus a comprehensive guide to alternative betting options.
What Betting Options are Legal for Kentucky Residents?
When it comes to betting in the state of Kentucky, players might be aware that there are somewhat limited betting options in Kentucky. Casino gambling is limited in the state, and there are limited Kentucky betting sites for options like Daily Fantasy Sports and horse racing. There is also the state lottery. There are currently no Kentucky online sports betting options.
Is Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
Players who are enthusiastic about sports betting in the state of Kentucky will want to note that while major league betting is still out of the question, there is Daily Fantasy Sports betting provided in Kentucky. This often means that Daily Fantasy Sports betting is one of the best betting options available in the state, however they are not yet regulated by the state.
Players who aren’t familiar with what Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) entails will be able to find that it is one of the best and most popular alternatives to real world sports betting, providing the ability to customize and creatively generate betting options. Daily Fantasy Sports are some of the only Kentucky sports betting app options in the state, however they are not strictly regulated.
If sports betting in the state is legalized, you can expect the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel to provide top Kentucky sportsbooks as well as DFS options.
Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Kentucky Players
Though offshore betting sites for sports are as prevalent as ever, players are advised to proceed with due caution. This is because offshore betting sites are seldom legitimate and legal for play in specific locations, ie individual states of play. It is essential for betting sites to be licensed in your individual location.
This means that players won’t be able to guarantee safety when placing a bet on sites like Bovada, BetOnline and MyBookie when they don’t hold a license for your specific location. So while offshore betting sites are often under-regulated and you may be able to access them in your state, there is no guarantee of safe bets or fairness.
Land-based Casinos in Kentucky
Kentucky has never been particularly well-known for providing a good variety of betting options. This means that there are limited Kentucky online sports betting options overall, which extends to both land-based and online gaming options of all varieties.
As a result, you will find that while there are several land-based casinos available for betting in Kentucky, the casino betting types are very restrictive. What this means for players is that betting types like poker are not available, and video slots are rare to find. Most casinos in the state centre their offerings around racing and similar events.
Racetrack Betting in Kentucky
Racetrack betting is one of the most popular types of betting in the state. This is likely in part because of the fact that Kentucky is known as one of the biggest homes for the thoroughbred breeding industry in all of the United States, meaning that there are plenty of racetrack betting options in Kentucky.
Players will also find that you can place legal racetrack bets online in Kentucky through licensed and regulated services. This means that although there are no current Kentucky sportsbook options for minor or major league sports in the USA or internationally, Kentucky players will be able to place ample racetrack bets.
Closest States to Kentucky with Legal Sports Betting
Players who are looking for betting options in the state of Kentucky will find that there are currently very few choices available. Thankfully for you, that is not the end of the world. While you won’t be able to find any sports betting options in the state, you’ll be able to access sports betting from nearby states.
While players in Kentucky eagerly await the introduction of Kentucky online sports betting, you’ll be able to pay a visit to any number of the most prevalent nearby sports betting states. Each of the states listed below provide nearby alternative sports betting options, which includes both land-based and online sportsbooks.
What Would Legal Sports Betting in Kentucky Look Like?
Players who are eager for the introduction of sports betting in Kentucky may not have to wait forever, as the state has shown signs of a push to introduce legal sports betting. One of the best signs that there may be sports betting has come in the form of 2022’s fourth consecutive year in which a bill to legalize sports betting has been introduced.
If Kentucky laws are amended to introduce legal Kentucky betting sites, players can expect a plethora of legitimate and safe options. Under the state law, players would be able to place bets under sportsbooks which answer to licensing agencies and regulators, providing players with a guarantee of safety and fairness when betting.
In the event that the state of Kentucky were to introduce legal sports betting, players could expect to see features and benefits akin to those common in other betting states. As per usual it will likely be a slow introduction, with players eventually finding sports betting options in terms of the biggest major leagues like NFL and NBA and MLB, in addition to local teams and more great options on the best betting sites Kentucky.
What are the Present Kentucky Gambling Laws?
| Betting Type | Law |
|---|---|
| Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Land-based Casin | Semi-Legal |
| Online Casino | Not Legal |
| Poker | Not Legal |
| Racetrack Betting | Legal |
| Kentucky Gambling Age | 18+ for Lotto, Horse Races and Bingo |
As you may have discerned from the information featured on this page, there are very limited gambling options in the state of Kentucky. The state features some of the most prohibitive gambling laws in the entirety of the United States, offering limited to zero options in terms of card games such as poker and sports betting.
This means that players won’t find legal poker or anything similar at any casino locations in the state. There are some casinos in the state however, such as Lake Jackpots and Newport Racing and Gaming, however these typically cater to alternative gaming options like bingo and lotteries. This means that you won’t find any Kentucky betting sites either.
Exceptions to this rule include the likes of horse and track races, and players over the age of 18 in Kentucky can place horse racing bets. There are some limited electronic gaming machine options at these casinos. There are also currently no Indian Casinos in the state of Kentucky.
These restrictions may be subject to change however, as there has been a nationwide push for states to make it possible for players to place sports bets online. Unfortunately for now however, players will have to place wagers on the limited gaming options in the state, or visit nearby states for sports betting options.
History of Sports Betting and Gambling in Kentucky
For players who are interested in understanding the complex history of Kentucky gambling law, we’ve got you covered in the table below. As players may have already surmised, the state makes it somewhat difficult to place a bet of any kind, and this has been the case for most of recent history.
Part of this may be due to the fact that there are no formally recognised Native Indian tribes located within the state of Kentucky. This has often led to something of a loophole in states which have prohibitive gaming laws, however this is not the case for Kentucky. Many other states have turned to allowing sports betting due to the high tax revenue potential.
There have been four consecutive attempts each year to have sports betting legalised in the state of Kentucky. Bills to enact legalized sports betting in Kentucky have passed the House several times, but it seems that increased support from within the Senate is necessary to see any significant sports betting developments in the state.
As a result, players will have to continue to wait to see legalised sports betting in the state of Kentucky. Thankfully, players will be able to place a sports bet, be it at land-based sportsbooks or online betting sites, at any neighbouring states. For now though, there are no legal gambling websites in Kentucky.
What is the Future of Sports Betting in Kentucky?
There is nothing to confirm that there will or won’t be any legalised sports betting in Kentucky any time soon. But what can be confirmed is that there is a guarantee of continued effort from representatives in the state, meaning that the fight to introduce legal Kentucky sports betting options will continue.
This means that players can expect to see more bills introduced in the state advocating for the introduction of legal sports betting. Until then, it appears that there is some significant resistance from lawmakers in the Kentucky senate. Players who are eager to get started sports betting will find plenty of legal sports betting states nearby.
If and when the time comes, we’ll be here to bring you all the information on the best betting sites Kentucky bettors have to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re confident that the information on this page has provided players with everything you need to know about sports betting law in the state of Kentucky. Some players may however be left with questions and queries, so we’ve provided you with the following list of answers to frequently asked questions.
⚖️ Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Kentucky?
The short answer is that no, it is not yet legal to place sports bets in Kentucky state. We’d like to be able to say otherwise, however this is not the situation yet. Players can expect to see a continued push for legal sports betting in Kentucky. In the meantime, players are invited to visit our section on legal options for betting in the state. Rest assured, we'll have all the information on the best betting sites in Kentucky as and when they arrive.
🛡️ What is the Kentucky legal gambling age?
As there are no casinos which are considered legal for typical casino gambling in the state of Kentucky, this means that there are limited overall betting options in the state. As such, the legal age for gambling in Kentucky is 18, but this is just a technicality. Check out our section on gambling law for more details.
🚨 Can I trust sites like MyBookie and Bovada to be legal and safe?
Offshore betting sites like MyBookie and Bovada have complicated legality. They often are not technically regulated within individual states, which means that they cannot be considered technically legal for betting. This is why we only recommend placing bets with strictly licensed, legal and safe sports betting sites.
🔎 Can I play at a Kentucky online sportsbook if I am not in the state?
As is the case with all regionally licensed sports betting sites, players will find that you can only place bets from a site which is licensed in your state of play. This means that you won’t be able to place bets interstate in this manner, though you may be able to create an account. Check out neighbouring sports betting states for other details.