Seeking the best Kentucky sportsbooks to fit your betting habits? Explore our expert guide to the best KY sports betting sites.
| KY Sportsbook | Our Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| 1. FanDuel | 9.1/10 |
| 2. DraftKings | 8.9/10 |
| 3. bet365 | 8.9/10 |
| 4. BetMGM | 8.6/10 |
| 5. Fanatics Sportsbook | 8.15/10 |
| 6. Caesars Sportsbook | 7.1/10 |
Kentucky has introduced a good number of legal sports betting platforms. This leaves you with a good choice of where to place your online bets.
| Launch Date | Sept. 28, 2023 |
| Licensing Partner | Turfway Park Racing & Gaming (Churchill Downs) |
| Retail Location | None |
FanDuel has long been a fixture in Kentucky's gambling scene, offering daily fantasy sports and online horse racing betting for years before its sportsbook went live online.
| Launch Date | Sept. 28, 2023 |
| Licensing Partner | Cumberland Run & The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland |
| Retail Location | The Mint Cumberland; the Mint Cumberland Run; the Mint Bowling Green |
Initially a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platform, DraftKings quickly transitioned to sports betting after the annulment of PASPA in 2018, becoming a dominant force in the Kentucky sports betting arena. Retail locations include The Mint Gaming Hall in Cumberland Williamsburg, and Cumberland Run in Corbin.
| Launch Date | Sept. 28, 2023 |
| Licensing Partner | Sandy’s Racing & Gaming (Revolutionary Racing Kentucky) |
| Retail Location | None |
Founded in 2000 in England, bet365 is the world’s largest privately owned sportsbook, serving over 90 million customers globally.
| Launch Date | Sept. 28, 2023 |
| Licensing Partner | Sandy’s Racing & Gaming (Revolutionary Racing Kentucky) |
| Retail Location | Sandy's BetMGM Sportsbook |
Users who sign up for BetMGM Kentucky are automatically enrolled in MGM Rewards, which earns you points for every bet you place. BetMGM has a retail location at Sandy's Racing & Gaming in Ashland, KY, where you can put those rewards to good use.
| Launch Date | Sept. 28, 2023 |
| Licensing Partner | Oak Grove Racing & Gaming |
| Retail Location | None |
Fanatics Sportsbook received its Kentucky license after acquiring PointsBet Sportsbook in several states.
| Launch Date | Sept. 28, 2023 |
| Licensing Partner | Keeneland & Red Mile Gaming & Racing |
| Retail Location | Caesars Sportsbook at Red Mile Gaming & Racing |
Caesars has a retail location at Red Mile Gaming and Racing in Lexington, KY.
| KY Sportsbook | Racetrack Partner | Retail Location |
|---|---|---|
| Circa Sports | Cumberland Run & The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland | None |
| Prime Sports | Churchill Downs Racetrack | None |
| theScore Bet (formerly ESPN BET) | Ellis Park Racing & Gaming | None |
Legal sites are regulated by state authorities, ensuring that your personal and financial information is secure. In case of disputes, bettors have legal recourse. Regulated sites are held to high standards of fairness and transparency.
Legal online sports betting sites are financially stable and have a legal obligation to pay out winnings. Tax revenue from legal sports betting supports public services and infrastructure.
Regulated sites often offer tools for self-exclusion, deposit limits, and support for individuals with problem gambling issues.
That's why all of our recommended Kentucky sportsbooks are properly licensed. After we confirm their licensing, we give each sportsbook a grade between 1 and 10, averaging scores across several key trust factors, some of which include:
Sports bettors can claim Kentucky sportsbook betting promotions at virtually any point after opening an account. When reviewing sites, we claim the same offers and test them to ensure bettors are getting the best value for their money.
Kentucky's online sportsbooks provide multiple safe and easy banking methods. Options differ by sportsbook, with potential limits.
Mobile apps play a pivotal role in helping us determine the best overall sportsbooks in any state. KY betting apps must offer helpful features, such as on-the-go live betting and quick updates, to ensure a good overall user experience.
| Is KY Sports Betting Legal? | Yes |
| Launch Date | Sept. 28, 2023 |
| No. of KY Sportsbooks | 9 |
| Legal Betting Age | 18+ |
| Sports Betting Bill | House Bill 551 |
| Total Licenses | 27 |
| Sports Betting Revenue | |
| Regulatory Body | Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming Corporation |
| KY Population |
Rep. Adam Koenig was the primary sponsor of HB 551, the bill that legalized sports betting in Kentucky. He had been a long-time advocate for sports betting in the state and had introduced similar bills in previous years that did not pass. Gov. Andy Beshear was also a strong supporter of sports betting as a means to generate additional revenue for the state. His endorsement of the bill was crucial in its passage. The Kentucky General Assembly's role in passing the bill cannot be understated. Despite previous failed attempts, the 2023 session saw the bill pass, marking a significant shift in the state's stance towards sports betting.
Kentucky's HB 551 law uniquely positions its nine horse racing tracks as retail sports wagering facilities, granting them exclusive rights for sports betting licenses. This setup paves the way for multiple potential partnerships, with tracks allowed three online partners each. As a result, KY online sportsbooks could number up to 27.
Operating an online sportsbook in Kentucky requires an initial licensing fee of $500,000, followed by an annual renewal fee of $50,000. For operators, an additional license, costing $50,000, is required, with a yearly fee of $10,000.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) was originally responsible for regulating horse racing in the state and implemented the sports betting market in 2023. The KHRC was accountable for vetting sportsbook operators and issuing sports betting licenses. Since then, the regulation of sports betting has been transferred to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.
Kentucky's framework mirrors the rules and requirements found in other states. States bordering Kentucky, like Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee, have legalized sports betting.
Every state that legalized online sportsbooks has some age requirements. In Kentucky, the minimum legal age for online gambling is 18, but some Kentucky sportsbooks are keeping their minimum age requirement at 21, in line with other states.
| Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Caesars Sportsbook at Red Mile Gaming & Racing | Food & bar, video wall, betting windows, betting kiosks, lounge seating, racetrack access |
| Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel | Big-screen TVs, 300-sq-ft video wall, 20 betting kiosks, dedicated parking spaces, simulcast horse racing betting |
| Newport Racing & Gaming | 10 betting kiosks, big-screen TVs, simulcast horse racing betting |
| Turfway Park Racing & Gaming | Big-screen TVs, 300-sq-ft video wall, 15 betting kiosks, simulcast horse racing betting |
| DraftKings Sportsbook at The Mint Cumberland | 30+ TVs, betting kiosks, food & bar |
| DraftKings Sportsbook at The Mint Cumberland Run | Betting kiosks, food & bar |
| DraftKings Sportsbook at The Mint Bowling Green | 30+ TVs, 6 betting kiosks, betting windows, lounge seating |
| The Starting Gate Sportsbook in Owensboro Racing & Gaming | Food & bar, betting kiosks |
| Ellis Park Racing & Gaming | Betting kiosks |
| Sandy's BetMGM Sportsbook | Luxury seating, big-screen TVs, bar, simulcast horse racing betting |
| Derby City Gaming Hotel | Big-screen TVs, 300-sq-ft video wall, 15 betting kiosks, dedicated parking spaces |
| First Turn Sports Bar at Derby City Gaming Downtown | Betting kiosks, food & bar, big-screen TVs, live music |
Kentucky might not have many professional sports teams, but it has a proud tradition of championship college teams and world-renowned tournaments.
The closest NFL teams for Kentuckians to root for include the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. Lucky for them, there are some very popular college football teams to cheer on instead.
College basketball and the annual March Madness tournament command some of the biggest betting days in Kentucky every year.
The Racing Louisville Football Club began playing games in the National Women's Soccer League in 2021. Its name pays homage to Kentucky's reputation for horse racing.
Located in Louisville, KY, the Valhalla Golf Club has hosted the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. The course was originally designed by Hall of Fame golfer Jack Nicklaus.
Kentucky's storied tradition in horse racing sets the backdrop for its relationship with gambling.
| Gambling Form | Legal |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Betting | Yes |
| Social & Sweepstake Casinos | Yes |
| Traditional Online Casinos | No |
| Land-Based Casinos | No |
| Online Poker | No |
Legalizing betting in Kentucky aligns with the state's rich equestrian heritage and its passion for sports. Known as the "Horse Capital of the World," Kentucky's rich horse racing heritage is a cornerstone of its identity. This love began in the late 18th century and has grown ever since, culminating in iconic races like the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, often referred to as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports." While the Derby steals the limelight, events like the Bluegrass Stakes and Kentucky Oaks also highlight the state's racing prominence.
Kentucky is not just about racing; it's a hub for horse breeding, with its fertile Bluegrass region producing champion horses. Institutions such as the Kentucky Horse Park and the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program educate and celebrate the profound bond between humans and horses in the state. For Kentucky, horse racing is not just a sport—it's a cherished tradition that enriches its cultural and economic landscape.
Casino gambling and Kentucky online casinos are not permitted. While the state has been working hard to make online betting legal, there are no plans to do the same for online casino gambling.
While traditional online casinos aren't allowed, residents can play at social and sweepstakes casinos, such as WinStar, LuckyLand, and Chumba. These platforms offer free virtual coins and jackpot prizes, eliminating the need for real money transactions. Additionally, Kentucky offers pari-mutuel advance deposit wagering platforms, such as TVG and Twin Spires, as well as online options for the Kentucky Lottery.
Kentucky's relationship with online poker took center stage with its lawsuit against PokerStars, rooted in an old Kentucky statute. The lawsuit was settled in 2021, with PokerStars agreeing to pay Kentucky $300 million, making the state a significant financial beneficiary of online poker despite not having legalized the activity.
It's crucial to remember the importance of responsible gambling. Betting on sports should be an enjoyable pastime, not a means to make money or escape problems.
Here are some tips to help you bet responsibly:
Gambling on offshore-based sites is discouraged due to their lack of regulation and oversight. This is why many have been advocating for the legalization of online sports betting. Players risk losing their funds, and there's no guarantee of fair gameplay.
Yes, sports betting is now legal in Kentucky and has officially rolled out to the public. On September 7, 2023, the state opened retail betting to the public, and on September 28, 2023, it opened mobile and online sports betting to the public.
Yes, you absolutely can! Online sports betting has officially launched in Kentucky, with numerous sportsbooks now offering their services on both mobile and desktop platforms to new users who sign up on their sites.
Mobile and online sports betting officially started on September 28, 2023, at 6 a.m. ET. Many Kentucky sportsbooks, including DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and bet365, are now offering their services to bettors within state lines.
Yes, you can. Bettors can start using the mobile app and place bets on their favorite sports as of now.
Yes, DraftKings is legal and live in Kentucky.
The legal age for sports betting in Kentucky is 18+, but most sportsbooks only accept players aged 21 and above.