Kentucky Sports Betting
Kentucky sports betting is legal and live. Online sportsbooks launched on Sept. 28, 2023, and eight apps, including DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, BetMGM, Circa, and Caesars, now offer sign-up bonuses and promotions to new users in the state.
Both online and retail sports betting are available throughout Kentucky, with the state launching in-person betting on Sept. 7.
Read on for the latest news and information on Kentucky sports betting, including how to sign up, reviews of the top online sportsbooks, and more.
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Best Kentucky sports betting apps in 2024
With sports betting live in Kentucky, you can sign up at various online sportsbooks below. State regulations require bettors to be 18 or older, but most sports betting sites in Kentucky require their customers to be 21 or older.
Contents
Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?
Yes, Kentucky sports betting is legal both online and at in-person locations. Retail sports betting launched in the state on Sept. 7, 2023, followed by online and mobile betting on Sept. 28.
What’s happening in Kentucky sports betting right now
- Sept. 5, 2024 — Kentucky sports betting handle was $150.3 million in June, down 17% from May.
- Aug. 8, 2024 — Circa Sports announced plans to open a temporary retail sportsbook at Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs on Aug. 12. A permanent location is scheduled to open next summer.
- July 31, 2024 — The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation has hired a COO. Susan Speckert is the former general counsel for the regulator.
- July 24, 2024 — Kentucky sports betting handle was $181.3 million in May, down 3.2% from April.
- May 20, 2024 — Xander Schauffele wins the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.
- May 16, 2024 — The PGA Championship starts May 16 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Get the latest PGA Championship odds here.
- May 6, 2024 — Mystik Dan is the 2024 Kentucky Derby winner in a photo finish over Sierra Leone in second and Forever Young in third. Mystik Dan had 18-1 odds heading into the race.
Kentucky sports betting snapshot
| Is sports betting legal in Kentucky? | Yes. Legislation passed in March 2023, and online betting launched on Sept. 28. |
| What legal sports betting sites are live in Kentucky? | DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, ESPN Bet, Circa, BetMGM, Fanatics, and Caesars are live in Kentucky. |
| What sports are legal to bet on in Kentucky? | Bettors can wager on pro leagues as well as college sports. The state does not allow betting on high school sports. |
| Who can bet on sports in Kentucky? | Anyone older than 18 and inside state lines can legally bet under state law. However, some sports betting sites require users to be 21 or older. |
Kentucky Sportsbook Promos Today
Check back here for the latest odds boosts and promotions.
Comparing the top sports betting sites in Kentucky
With up to three online sportsbook skins available for each of Kentucky’s nine horse racing tracks, there could one day be as many as 27 sports betting apps in the state. Eight such platforms are live.
Here is a breakdown of the top legal Kentucky sportsbook apps and the best sports betting promotions from each:
- Best for promotions: Caesars. Many sportsbooks offer bonuses or rewards, but Caesars offers a combination of promos, bonuses, and odds boosts few sportsbooks can match. The Caesars Rewards loyalty program is an added perk that lets new and existing users collect credits to use on the app or at Caesars hotels and casinos.
- Best NFL betting site: FanDuel. One of the most popular sports betting apps nationwide, FanDuel’s simplicity is one of its strongest selling points. New users can navigate the app easily, and existing users receive a fast, intuitive experience. On top of that, FanDuel has some of the most competitive NFL odds and a deep list of available prop markets.
- Best for live betting: DraftKings. DraftKings has a few features that make it stand out, including its free-to-play betting pools. But one of the app’s main calling cards is its menu of live betting options.
- Best for available sports: BetMGM and bet365. Both of these regularly offer betting on niche sports like darts, cornhole, lacrosse, and snooker as well as all the major sports.
1. BetMGM Kentucky
One of the top options for sports bettors in multiple states, BetMGM Sportsbook is also available in Kentucky, with a welcome bonus for new customers. BetMGM is partnered with Sandy’s Gaming and Racing in the state and combines a well-known name in gambling with an intuitive app that provides bettors with competitive odds and some unique features. The “edit my bet” function adds a level of flexibility.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Flexibility before and after placing bets
- Best feature: Edit My Bet
- Retail partner: Sandy’s Gaming and Racing
- Welcome bonus: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win. Use the BetMGM bonus code LSR50.
2. Bet365 Kentucky
Bet365 Sportsbook partnered with Sandy’s Gaming and Racing to operate in Kentucky and offers two welcome bonus options for new users. Already a well-known sportsbook worldwide, bet365 is expanding in the US and offering a user-friendly app, daily odds boosts, and display personalization. Though easy to use, the app can sometimes be buggy when navigating between sections.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Competitive odds and an easy-to-use app
- Best feature: Personalized display
- Retail partner: Sandy’s Gaming and Racing
- Welcome bonus: First bet safety net up to $1,000 or bet $1, get $200 in bonus bets with the bet365 bonus code LSRKY.
- The bonus code LSRKY can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way.
3. FanDuel Kentucky
One of the top sports betting sites on the market today, the FanDuel Sportsbook promo for Kentucky bettors offers a chance at up to $200 in bonus bets. The online sportsbook also offers an intuitive app for beginning and veteran bettors. With some of the most competitive odds around, FanDuel is a top choice for many, with its same-game parlay feature being particularly popular. FanDuel should also have a large presence in Kentucky, having already partnered with two of Churchill Downs’ racetracks.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: User-friendly app
- Best feature: Same-game parlays
- Retail partner: Churchill Downs
- Welcome bonus: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets. No code necessary; click to claim.
4. Caesars Kentucky
Already a recognizable hotel/casino brand, Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best apps in the country, headlined by the Caesars Rewards program. The sports betting app lacks some of the flash of some competitors, but it makes up for it by offering plenty of promotions and bonuses for bettors. Caesars has a promotion for Kentucky bettors available now with the code LSR1000.
- App store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Promotions and bonuses are usually top-of-class.
- Best feature: Caesars Rewards
- Retail partner: Red Mile Racing
- Welcome bonus: First bet on Caesars for a refund of up to $1,000 as a bonus bet if your first wager loses; use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code LSR1000.
5. DraftKings Kentucky
Already known to Kentuckians for its daily fantasy offerings, DraftKings Sportsbook is also one of the top sports betting platforms in the country. Regarding the app, DraftKings’ pools feature allows bettors to compete in tournament-like events with friends, and its live-betting offerings are among the best in class. The DraftKings promo code for new users also provides access to up to $1,250, one of the highest maximums in KY. DraftKings is partnered with the Cumberland Run racing track in Kentucky.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Contains a few features unique to DraftKings
- Best feature: Live betting
- Retail partner: Cumberland Run
- Welcome bonus: Up to $1,250 in bonuses. No code necessary; click to claim.
6. Fanatics Sportsbook Kentucky
Launched alongside the other original sportsbooks in Kentucky, Fanatics Sportsbook is partnered with Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel as its retail partner in the state.
One of the newer sports betting apps in the market, Fanatics Sportsbook launched with some interesting features for new users. FanCash, the sportsbook’s loyalty program, allows bettors to build up extra funds as they bet. Customers can then redeem those funds for bonus bets at the sportsbook or to buy merchandise on the Fanatics retail site. The “Discover” page also curates a sports betting experience for each user. Same-game parlays are also available.
While reviews of Fanatics’ customer service are generally positive, the app can sometimes be quite buggy and slow, and user reviews also reflect those overall usability issues.
- App store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: New app with interesting features
- Best feature: FanCash
- Fanatics Sportsbook promo: Bet and get up to $1,000 in bonus bets. No code necessary; click to claim.
How to get started with the best Kentucky sportsbook bonuses
No matter which legal Kentucky sportsbook app you ultimately choose, the process of getting started will be pretty much the same and should be quick and easy. Here’s what to do:
- Download and install the app on your mobile device.
- Register for an account.
- Add money to your account.
- Place your first wager.
Types of bonuses and promotions
Although sportsbook promos can change often, they usually fall into one of the categories listed below. It’s also helpful for bettors to know about the types of bonuses and promos, what each term means, and how they work. Here are some of the most common promos that you’ll come across:
- Deposit bonus: The sportsbook will match a deposit — generally the first — up to a certain amount in site credits. Those credits are for use on the sports betting site, and you will not be able to withdraw the credits as cash until you complete a playthrough requirement.
- Odds boost: An odds boost means that the book is taking the initial line and increasing the odds to make the potential return more appealing for bettors. Boosts can be applied to any bet, and the sportsbook will usually select a few each day to boost and feature.
- First bet promo: You must place a first wager that meets the sportsbook’s conditions. If you lose, the sportsbook will give you credits equal to your bet, which you can use to wager again. You may need to complete a playthrough to withdraw the bonus funds. If you win the initial bet, you receive no bonus, but you still collect the profit from your win as normal.
- Rewards programs: Receive points for each dollar you wager. Depending on the sportsbook and the program, you may be able to redeem these points for anything from more bets to branded merchandise to casino and hotel perks.
Complete list of Kentucky sports betting sites
Below is a chart showing the approved online sportsbooks in Kentucky and their retail partners. This list will change as more sports betting sites strike deals in the state. Currently, one of the biggest ommissions is BetRivers Sportsbook. As of October 2024, eight sports betting apps have received approval for licenses in Kentucky.
| Sports betting site | Racetrack Partner | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | Sandy’s Racing & Gaming | Live for mobile |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Sandy’s Racing & Gaming | Live for mobile |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Red Mile Racing | Live for mobile and retail |
| Circa Sportsbook | Cumberland Run | Live for mobile |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Cumberland Run | Live for mobile and retail |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel | Live for mobile |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Churchill Downs | Live for mobile |
| ESPN Bet | Ellis Park Racing & Gaming | Live for mobile |
Kentucky sports betting law
Under the new Kentucky sports betting law, the market had to go live within six months of the legislation’s effective date. With the effective date of June 28, 2023, the state had until Dec. 28 to get sports betting off the ground. Regulators later announced launch dates of Sept. 7 for retail betting and Sept. 28 for online sports betting.
Sports betting bill HB 551 passed in the Kentucky Senate by a 25-12 vote on the last day of the legislative session, effectively legalizing sports betting in the state. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill fewer than 24 hours after passage. Below are a few of the critical features of the bill:
- Legislators gave Kentucky’s nine horse racing tracks sports betting licenses. Each track is allowed up to three online skins, meaning there could be as many as 27 online sportsbooks in the state down the road.
- Bettors can place their bets at any of the approved retail locations and on licensed websites and apps from anywhere in the state.
- The bill lists a tax of 14.25% for online sportsbooks and 9.75% on in-person sports betting revenue. Unlike previous bills, HB 551 dropped online poker and daily fantasy sports.
- Betting on most college and professional sports is legal. Betting on youth sports is not.
- The state will use 2.5% of the money that it raises through sports-betting taxes for addiction-related treatment and education. Whatever money is left over — after the state pays for the operating costs — will go to the state’s pensions.
- BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, FanDuel, and Fanatics require bettors to be 21 or older, while DraftKings, bet365, and Churchill Downs keep the minimum age at 18.
Popular sports to bet on in Kentucky
College basketball is king in Kentucky, with two prestigious programs at the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky.
Original versions of Kentucky sports betting bills prohibited betting on in-state college teams, but legislators removed that clause from the final bill.
There are no major professional sports teams in Kentucky, but the NFL is still quite popular in the state. As a result, Cincinnati Bengals odds and Indianapolis Colts odds are among the most popular options at sportsbooks. Here are some of Kentucky’s favorite pro teams:
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts
MLB: Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals
NBA: Indiana Pacers
NHL: Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues
Other legal sports betting options in Kentucky
Illegal offshore sportsbooks also offer sports betting in Kentucky. However, those sites do not hold a license from any US jurisdiction to legally accept bets from residents.
Without regulation from the state, these offshore books aren’t under obligation to pay out winnings and may even disappear with people’s money. The only safe and protected way to bet on sports in the United States is to do so at a licensed book in a state where it is legal.
Retail sports betting locations in Kentucky
Below is a list of the brick-and-mortar locations offering in-person sports betting in Kentucky as of Sept. 7, 2023. We will continue to update this list as more betting facilities open across the state, including some that have already partnered with online sportsbooks (Sandy’s Gaming and Racing).
- Churchill Downs (700 Central Ave., Louisville)
- Derby City Gaming & Hotel (4520 Poplar Level Road, Louisville)
- Derby City Gaming Downtown (140 S. 4th St., Louisville)
- Ellis Park (3300 US Highway 41 N., Henderson)
- The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland (244 Penny Lane, Williamsburg)
- The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run (777 Winners Lane, Corbin)
- Newport Racing & Gaming (1723 Monmouth St., Newport)
- Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel (777 Winners Way, Oak Grove)
- The Red Mile (1200 Red Mile Road, Lexington)
- Turfway Park Racing & Gaming (7500 Turfway Road, Florence)
Coming soon: Sandy’s Gaming and Racing in Ashland and Ellis Park in Owensboro.
Kentucky and daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports sites such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, and Fantasy Draft operate in an unregulated environment in Kentucky.
The new Kentucky sports betting bill did not include legislation to regulate DFS in the state. At this time, DFS exists in a gray area in Kentucky.
Kentucky horse betting
No state has a deeper connection to horse racing and horse betting than Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby, the country’s most prestigious and famous horse race, occurs yearly at Churchill Downs. It has run annually since 1875 with only a few exceptions and serves as the first leg of the thoroughbred Triple Crown.
Kentucky Derby betting hit a record $188.7 million in 2023, and upticks should continue. Sierra Leone leads the favorites in Kentucky Derby odds for 2024’s running, on May 4.
Legal horse racing has been part of Kentucky since 1805. Although Churchill Downs gets the press, there are several other prominent tracks in the state. One of them, Keeneland, would be the top track in almost any other state, and some experts consider it on par with or even ahead of Churchill Downs, Pimlico, Belmont, or any other track in the US.
There are also several other important tracks in the state, including the Red Mile in Lexington, Turfway Park in Florence and Ellis Park in Henderson. In particular, the Red Mile hosts the Kentucky Futurity, the first leg of the Triple Crown of harness racing for trotters.
Each track in the state is home to several historical horse racing machines. These devices are the closest analog to slot machines in the state and use the results from past horse races to determine their winners. Several tracks now house retail sportsbooks as well.
Finally, Kentuckians can use their mobile devices and computers to place horse bets online. Top sites like FanDuel Racing and Kentucky’s own TwinSpires have options for simulcast wagering on races at tracks around the country.
Kentucky sports betting timeline
2024:
Micro-betting platform Betr gains access to the Kentucky sports betting market and plans to launch sometime soon.
Keeneland Race Track announces there will not be sports betting kiosks available at the facility during the spring racing season.
Circa Sportsbook launches in Kentucky on April 1.
Kentucky’s legislature overrides Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 299. The bill creates an independent sports betting regulator. The previous regulator operateed under the purview of the governor.
2023:
After being “cautiously optimistic” about his sports betting bill, HB 551, Kentucky Rep. Michael Meredith finally gets the bill over the finish line on the last day of the state’s 2023 legislative session. The new bill passes with a 25-12 vote in the Senate at the end of March, giving the state’s nine horse racing tracks sports betting licenses, with up to three online skins per track. The legislation goes into effect on June 28, giving the state six months to launch legal betting.
Regulators announce on July 10 that online sports betting is scheduled to launch in Kentucky on Sept. 28, and retail sports betting will launch Sept. 7.
In-person sports betting launches on Sept. 7, with Gov. Andy Beshear placing the first bet at Churchill Downs Race & Sports Book in Louisville.
Online sports betting goes live at 6 a.m. on Sept. 28. Eight sportsbooks comprise the state’s initial wave of licensed sportsbooks.
2022:
Rep. Adam Koenig brings a sports betting bill for the fourth straight year, with a few adjustments. He drops the Kentucky Speedway and an in-person registration requirement. As in a few past years, the bill cruises through Koenig’s own committee.
For the first time, however, the bill clears a legislative chamber in Kentucky as the House passes HB 606 by a vote of 58-30. The Senate considers the bill, but it is an uphill battle as Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer says the support is not quite there.
The Senate allows Koenig’s bill to die without a vote on sine die. The effort is the farthest a KY sports betting bill has gotten and provides hope for future efforts. Thayer expresses disappointment that the bill did not pass, but believes the support will be there in future years.
2021:
Gov. Andy Beshear lends his support to the notion of sports betting in Kentucky once again. In January, he speaks on a program titled “Governor Andy Beshear: First Year Reflections” and states that the time to legalize sports betting in the Bluegrass State was years ago, lamenting that nearly every (Republican) state around Kentucky is benefitting from Kentuckian sports bettors.
Emboldened by the governor’s statements, several members of the Kentucky House of Representatives bring forth three measures to legalize sports betting. Among the entries is another edition of Rep. Adam Koenig’s legislation, which has become something of a tradition. However, none of the three bills passes its initial committee submission, and Kentuckians must wait at least another year for sports betting legislation.
2020:
Optimism is high for sports betting in Kentucky after the progress of 2019 with 2020 being a budget year.
Gov. Andy Beshear makes Kentucky the favorite of any state to pass sports betting legislation this year when he says in his State of the Commonwealth address that “Rep. Adam Koenig has filed a sports betting bill. I fully support it, and we should pass it.”
A day later, Koenig moves HB 137 through his committee. But first, he makes two key changes — removing the ban on in-state college betting and adding an 18-month sunset to what was previously an indefinite requirement to set up online wagering accounts in person.
Koenig is confident his bill will quickly pass through the House, but that doesn’t happen. The legislation languishes for a month. Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer says he is in full support of the bill, but that doesn’t spark the House to send it over.
Then comes the filing of 11 proposed amendments, many of which would have killed the bill with exorbitant fees. Koenig says he didn’t know about the amendments before they were filed. The legislature adjourns on April 15 without passing a bill.
2019:
State legislators introduce four sports betting bills, with Koenig’s emerging as the favorite and becoming the first sports betting bill in the state to get a successful committee vote.
Koenig’s bill not only attempts to legalize sports betting but also daily fantasy sports and online poker.
However, with then-Gov. Matt Bevin lukewarm on sports betting and the legislature traditionally resistant to gambling expansions, the requirement for revenue bills to get 60% of the votes in non-budget years proves impossible to overcome.
2018:
A month after the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, Kentucky lawmakers create a panel to study sports betting regulation.
The nine-member panel has the following task: “draft and file legislation to implement legal sports betting in Kentucky.”
2017:
In the summer of 2017, Sen. Julian Carroll introduces a sports betting bill that would allow the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to regulate and oversee a sports gambling industry.
This early bill calls for a $250,000 licensing fee and a 20% tax on the total wagers handled.
Kentucky sports betting FAQ
Yes. Sports betting is legal online and in person at several locations in Kentucky. In-person sports betting launched in the state on Sept. 7, 2023, and online sports betting followed on Sept. 28.
Bettors can place wagers on legal Kentucky sports betting apps from anywhere in the state. Sports betting is also available at the following retail sportsbook locations:
– Churchill Downs (700 Central Ave., Louisville)
– Derby City Gaming & Hotel (4520 Poplar Level Road, Louisville)
– Ellis Park (3300 US Highway 41 N., Henderson)
– The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland (244 Penny Lane, Williamsburg)
– The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run (777 Winners Lane, Corbin)
– Newport Racing & Gaming (1723 Monmouth St., Newport)
– Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel (777 Winners Way, Oak Grove)
– The Red Mile (1200 Red Mile Road, Lexington)
– Turfway Park Racing & Gaming (7500 Turfway Road, Florence)
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission oversees sports betting in the state.
Yes. Whether you want to bet on Kentucky Wildcats basketball or Louisville Cardinals football, in-state colleges are a part of the approved menu of sporting events in Kentucky. See the entire catalog here.
The minimum gambling age is 18. Although it’s not clear or explicit, the reason behind the 18-year-old requirement is likely the dominance of horse racing and wagering in the state, which only requires bettors to be 18. Most Kentucky sportsbooks, however, maintain the more widely used legal age of 21.
No. Currently, no sportsbooks are licensed at the federal level in the US, only at the state level. Any website that suggests betting from anywhere in the US is allowed is a website that operates offshore. It is not legal for those sites to accept bets from US citizens, and such sites offer no protection to those who bet on them.