Kentucky Sports Betting In 2024
Kentucky’s position concerning gambling is quite strict, with very few forms of legally approved betting allowed in the state. With a rich culture of equestrian history that includes betting on the Kentucky Derby, the Bluegrass State does have a warm spot in its heart for pari-mutuel wagering on horse races.
A state lottery, limited social gambling, and charitable gaming are the only other options for state-regulated betting in Kentucky. While state-licensed sportsbook gambling is waiting to be approved by the state legislature, this has not detoured Kentuckians from resourcefully locating and participating in legal online sports betting activities.
All it takes is some savvy navigation of the legal landscape surrounding USA sportsbook sites that are authorized to accept wagers in Kentucky and you'll be well on your way.
This page will take a look at relevant Kentucky gambling laws, how US federal laws play a role in the state’s gambling market and where to find legitimately legal online sports betting opportunities. We offer this guide as solely informational and are not intending for this information to substitute for or serve as professional legal advice or services.
- Legal Kentucky Sports Betting Available Via 18+ Offshore Sportsbook Sites
- State-Regulated KY Sportsbooks Not Legal At This Time
Best KY Online Sportsbook For 2024
The absolutely top choice for us when it comes to US friendly sports betting is BetOnline Sportsbook. They welcome members from Kentucky and offer a few fantastic bonus offers.
BetOnline.AG's mobile betting app is well designed and compatible with all popular mobile devices (iPad, iPhone, Android). BetOnline Sportsbook's live betting features are strong and can be accessed from their website or their mobile app.
BetOnline is one of the best KY sportsbook for 18 and over gamblers.
- Strong bonus offer - 50% match up to $1,000 plus 25% on every deposit for the life of your account
- They are certified and operated in Panama City, Panama
- Established as one of the first online gambling sites in 1991
- You can enjoy live betting and live in play betting features
- Provide a great mobile betting app for smartphones and tablets
- Casino, sportsbook, poker, racebook, live dealer games and skill games under one account
All USA Sportsbooks That Accept Kentucky Players In 2024
| Site Name | Current Bonus | Rating /5 | U.S. | Visit Site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.9 |  | Visit Site Review |
| 2 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.5 | | Visit Site Review |
| 3 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.3 | | Visit Site Review |
| 4 |  | 100% Max $2,500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 5 |  | 50% Max $500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 6 |  | 50% Max $500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 7 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.1 | | Visit Site Review |
Is Sports Betting Legal In KY As Of 2024?
Yes, but only if Kentucky gamblers opt for an offshore sportsbook that is operating from within a legal overseas gaming jurisdiction. Domestic sports betting in Kentucky has yet to pass through the state legislature but there has been some interest in recent years.
Until lawmakers in KY get on the same page in regard to legal domestic gambling, the offshore sites that we include in our list of sportsbook reviews are the best route for Kentucky-based sports bets. International sportsbooks can offer their services to those in KY over 18 because there are no state laws that say they cannot.
Can I Bet On Sports Online In Kentucky?
Yes, but not with a domestic Kentucky sportsbook. Offshore sports betting sites accept 18 and over Kentucky gamblers and allow them to wager college basketball odds, as well as any other major college or pro sports being played around the world.
The best USA sportsbook sites extend their services to Kentuckians across the entire state via PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
How To Bet On Sports In Kentucky Legally?
Legally betting on college football, basketball, and other major sports around the country is just a few clicks away for those in KY, but memberships must be created before any of that can happen. This can be completed in a few minutes by following these simple steps:
- Explore each of the online KY sportsbooks we endorse and consider joining multiple sites so that the odds can be shopped to your advantage
- Locate the join icon atop any page within the sportsbook site you intend to join and click it to begin the membership sign up process
- Type in your personal data and create your sportsbook login credentials
- Submit your first sportsbook deposit and consider accepting a sportsbook bonus offer if the conditions match your bet schedule
- Locate the sportsbook tab and then indulge in whatever betting odds your heart desires from anywhere inside of Kentucky with a connection to the web
Where Is There Legal Sports Betting In Kentucky?
There are no legal in-person sportsbooks that are sanctioned by the state of Kentucky, nor are there any domestic sports betting applications or websites that can be accessed. The only legal sports betting in Kentucky is available by becoming a member of an offshore sportsbook site.
Because these sportsbooks operate from within an international jurisdiction, they are not subject to US sports betting laws or regulations set for by the state of Kentucky. Because of this status, these overseas sports betting sites are able to lawfully extend their services into Kentucky over the Internet to 18+ gamblers.
When Will Sports Betting Be Legal In KY Domestically?
Despite Kentucky's regional stance on gambling across the board, their state lawmakers are fully aware that domestic sports betting services are available in several neighboring states, including Tennessee, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia.
There have been numerous Kentucky sports betting bills that have attempted to travel through their state legislature, but none have made it to the Governors desk for signature thus far. That said, it should only be another session or two before domestic sports betting becomes legal in KY.
Is There Any Local Tribal Casino Gambling In Kentucky?
Kentucky does not possess any federally-recognized tribal presences, nor does it allow for casino gambling establishments to exist. Without either of these founding blocks for tribal casinos within a region, the outlook is not good for Native American gaming venues to appear in KY in the near future.
KY Major Sports Teams To Bet On In 2024
College basketball and March Madness are the biggest sports taking place within the Kentucky area, with the state housing two NCAAB powerhouse programs with multiple championship banners hanging in their arenas.
The Kentucky Derby is a major sporting draw in the region, so naturally, horse race betting attracts millions of dollars in wagers inside the Bluegrass State each year.
Betting On The Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats play NCAA men's basketball and football in the SEC. The Wildcats have won March Madness eight times, and are the winning program in the history of college basketball. Their football program was once coached by the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant who is now widely considered to have earned Kentucky a National Championship in 1950 had a fair ranking system been in place at the time.
Whether betting on college basketball or NCAAF, the Wildcats will have game lines, prop bets, and futures posted at international gambling sites that cater to the Kentucky region. Any of the sports betting sites we link to here at USASBS fall under the offshore category and can legally serve 18 and over patrons that want to wager on the Kentucky Wildcats' odds to win no matter what time of day, or year, it is.
Betting On The Louisville Cardinals
College Basketball is also king at Louisville as the Cardinals have won three National Championships in 1980, 1986, and 2013. The Cardinals play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), a Power 5 Conference in College Football.
Kentucky gamblers can bet on the Louisville Cardinals in football, basketball, baseball, and even March Madness betting, by joining one or more of the top sportsbook sites we list on this page. Even when your favorite sport is not in season, betting on the Cardinals can occur all year long.
Betting On The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing each year and takes place at Churchill Downs, just outside of Louisville, KY. Kentucky Derby betting in KY is legal at the age of 21 or older if wagers are placed at the Churchill Downs during the race, or if 18 and over gamblers lay some action at any of the offshore sportsbooks we list within this guide.
Horse race betting on the Triple Crown, or any other major contest occurring around the world, can be bet on from anywhere within the state of Kentucky as long as gamblers have a solid connection to the web, are at least 18 years of age, and have some USD or crypto to risk.
Don't venture out on your own to place a bet on the Kentucky Derby - do so with one of the trusted sportsbook sites we endorse here at USASBS for the best possible online experience.
Is Kentucky Affected by Federal Gambling Restrictions?
There are two specific federal laws that have an impact on Kentucky bettors. The first one is the Federal Wire Act, which effectively prohibits any type of US-based online sports betting across state lines.
The second law that affects US residents is the UIGEA law. UIGEA is an online gambling-related law, but simply places regulatory oversight on gambling-related transactions and doesn't address players at all.
Like state laws in Kentucky, these federal laws do not criminalize online sports betting that takes place at sportsbooks that are legally authorized and operated in a governing jurisdiction that has legalized online gambling for its respective territories. You will not be violating either state or federal laws if you engage in legal, offshore sports betting online.
The key to remaining on the legal side of things is to make sure the site at which you are visiting is indeed legally authorized, regulated, and holds applicable compliance certifications. The sportsbooks we recommend are all legally sanctioned to operate within the industry.
Kentucky Locations for Gambling
Kentucky might be fairly strict when it comes to its stance on gambling, but the state isn't exactly a barren wasteland bereft of all gambling options.
For starters, Kentucky is the home of the largest horse race in history and one of the biggest gambling events of the year, betting on the Kentucky derby. Every year this race takes place at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, and it draws people from the richest of the rich to the average working Jane and Joe who flood the field. People wear their fancy hats, drink their mint juleps, and gamble on horse racing.
Kentucky knows full well that the overall appeal of the Derby has little to do with the actual horses. It's all about the gambling atmosphere. If it weren't such a huge draw for gamblers, the Kentucky Derby wouldn't be half the race it is today.
The bulk of their yearly tourism shows up during Derby season. Churchill Downs, located in Louisville, is a prestigious racetrack that also offers rooms for travelers. There are more racetracks throughout Kentucky, including Ellis Park at Henderson, Kentucky Downs in Franklin, and Thunder Ridge in Prestonsburg to name a few.