Kentucky online sports betting is now fully legal and live, bringing sports wagering options to residents across the Bluegrass State. With a lineup of top-tier sportsbooks, competitive welcome bonuses, and access to bets on professional and college sports, Kentucky has quickly become a notable player in the U.S. sports betting landscape.
Whether you’re a die-hard Wildcats fan or a weekend football bettor, this guide covers everything you need to know about online sports betting in Kentucky — from legality and registration to the best sportsbooks and ongoing promotions.
| Illinois Sportsbooks | Illinois Bonus Code Details |
|---|---|
| Bet365 | |
| FanDuel | Bet $5 Get $250 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins! |
| BetMGM | |
| Caesars |
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
Yes, online sports betting in Kentucky is legal. The state officially launched its online sports betting market on September 28, 2023, following the passage of House Bill 551 earlier that year. The industry is regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), which oversees both online and retail sportsbook operations.
Anyone aged 18 and older (unlike most states that set the age at 21) can legally place sports bets online as long as they are physically located in Kentucky.
Kentucky Sportsbooks
Without any commercial casinos in the state of Kentucky, all of the KY sportsbooks would be tied to the horse racing tracks or the Kentucky Speedway. Other states have used similar strategies by allowing racetracks to offer retail sports betting.
Kentucky online sports betting was also included in the previous bills, and that is expected to be included in any new law. The previous bill also stated that in-person registration would be required for 18 months until remote registration was allowed.
If that is the case when KY sports betting launches, then bettors will need to visit a racetrack before they are able to complete the signup process. This could be one of the parts of the bill that is amended in 2021.
KY Sports Betting Rules
Without having an official KY sports betting law in place, it is impossible to know what betting markets will be available. Kentucky is not a state with a strong professional sports presence, and so it is likely that college sports betting will be included in any law.
Esports has become extremely popular in 2020, and many states have now legalized betting on esports. Kentucky lawmakers will have to make any final decision on esports before a new law is passed.
How to Start Betting Online in Kentucky
Getting started is simple. Here’s how it works:
- Choose a Licensed KY Sportsbook – See our list of top-rated sportsbooks below.
- Enter our promo code to lock in the best deal
- Register Online – Sign up with your name, address, and last four digits of your SSN.
- Confirm Your Location – Geolocation tech ensures you’re betting from within Kentucky.
- Make a Deposit – Use secure options like debit card, PayPal, ACH, or online banking.
- Place Your Bets – Bet on football, basketball, horse racing, and more.
No in-person registration is required — you can complete the entire process online from your desktop or mobile device.
Best Kentucky Online Sportsbooks
Kentucky bettors have access to a growing number of high-quality sportsbooks offering user-friendly apps, competitive odds, and robust promotions. Here are the top choices:
🏇 Bet365 Kentucky
- Exceptional live betting interface
- Extensive international sports coverage
- Great for in-play wagers and prop markets
🏈 DraftKings Sportsbook
- One of the best mobile betting experiences
- Wide selection of bet types and markets
- Regular odds boosts and risk-free bet promos
🏀 FanDuel Sportsbook
- Known for same-game parlays and intuitive design
- Great for NFL, NBA, and college basketball fans
- Offers fast payouts and solid customer support
🎯 BetMGM Kentucky
- Excellent welcome bonus and promotions
- Strong for parlay bettors and futures markets
- Rewards program tied to MGM Resorts
🎰 Caesars Sportsbook
- Heavy emphasis on promotions and bonus bets
- Top-tier rewards system with hotel perks
- Easy-to-use app and deep betting options
All listed sportsbooks are fully licensed and regulated in Kentucky.
Promotions & Bonuses for KY Bettors
Each Kentucky sportsbook rolls out attractive welcome offers for new users, such as:
- ✅ Second chance bets (refunds if your first bet loses)
- ✅ Deposit match bonuses
- ✅ No-sweat first bets
- ✅ Odds boosts and parlay insurance
Be sure to compare promos when signing up — you can even register with multiple sportsbooks to maximize bonus opportunities.
KY Sports Betting Regulations
Representative Adam Koenig introduced H 137 in 2020, and that bill was able to generate plenty of support. Ultimately, H 137 was sent back to the committee last spring, and it never made it to the House floor for a final vote.
KY sports betting was tied to a large gambling expansion package that the governor was hoping to include into his budget projections. Now that the large bill has been blocked, lawmakers are expected to focus on sports betting first.
According to the most recent bill, land-based sports betting would be taxed at a rate of 10.25%, and KY online sports betting would be taxed at a rate of 14.25%. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission currently regulates gambling in the state, and that group would likely be put in charge of overseeing sports betting.
There will still be some work to do in 2021, but a number of important regulations have already been established.
Summary
Kentucky sports betting was expected to become legal in 2020, but another attempt will be made in 2021. There is already a bill ready to be introduced, and it will likely use the same framework as the previous bill.
There are a number of other issues facing Kentucky lawmakers at this time, and the entire gaming industry is being challenged in the KY supreme court. Kentucky is a state that will likely see sports betting soon, but it’s unclear when this will happen.
The Midwest portion of the United States has seen tremendous sports betting growth since 2019, and Kentucky is falling behind by not being able to get a bill passed.
