HomeNFL Betting in Kentucky

NFL betting in Kentucky

Since September 2023, online sportsbooks have been up and running in the Bluegrass State, with eight currently available for sports bettors throughout the state. The launch came just in time for football season, and NFL betting in Kentucky quickly became its most popular sport to wager on.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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Still relatively new, we here at KYBetting.com have you covered for everything you need to know regarding NFL betting in Kentucky, as we dive into the details below.

Yes, betting on the NFL is legal in Kentucky, officially signed into law on March 31, 2023, by Governor Andy Beshear. Starting with Kentucky state Rep. Michael Meredith filed House Bill 551 in the Kentucky House on February 22, 2023, the bill then passed the Senate by a 63-34 marchin on March 13, 2023.

Once the ink was dry at the end of March, Kentucky officially became the 37th state to legalize sports betting, paving the way for operators to begin submitting applications. Regulators and operators mobilized six months later, with the first ever legal Kentucky sports bet happening on September 7, 2023; a $20 parlay placed by Governor Beshear.

With retail sportsbooks launching in early September, online sports betting officially launched on September 28, 2023, as BetMGM, Caesars, Bet365, FanDuel, DraftKings and Fanatics went live. As part of Kentucky state law, each of the online sports betting companies operating today does so in partnership with a retail casino or race track.

The full list of places to legally bet on the NFL in Kentucky includes Bet365 Kentucky (Revolutionary Racing), BetMGM Kentucky (Revolutionary Racing), PENN Entertainment/ESPN Bet (Ellis Park), Circa Sportsbook Kentucky (Cumberland Run), DraftKings Kentucky (Cumberland Run), Fanatics (Oak Grove), and FanDuel Kentucky (Churchill Downs).

How you can bet on the NFL in Kentucky

Getting started with NFL betting in Kentucky is as easy as a few clicks, whether you are using a desktop computer or mobile device. Let’s take a look at how you can bet on the NFL in Kentucky as soon as today.

  1. Get Welcome Bonus: Right here at KYBetting.com, we have exclusive reviews of all eight of the online sportsbooks in Kentucky offering NFL betting. Once you find the site you want to start NFL betting in Kentucky, head to the top of the review and click “Get Bonus.” From here, you will automatically be redirected to the site to begin the signup process.
  2. Download Mobile App: If you are reading this from your mobile device, and click the “Get Bonus” link, you’ll first be prompted to download the app for your Android or iOS device. Once the app is downloaded, continue following the steps below.
  3. Provide Basic Information: When setting up your NFL betting in Kentucky's online sportsbook of choice, you’ll first be asked for your new login credentials including username, email address, and password. Next, you’ll have to enter your legal information such as first and last name, home address, phone number, date of birth, gender, and the last four digits of your social security number. Agree to the terms and conditions and privacy of the site, lastly, and your new online sportsbook in Kentucky will be confirmed.
  4. Deposit Funds: With the regulation and oversight provided by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), you will have plenty of options when it comes to depositing funds into your new account. These will include popular such options as Venmo, Online Banking, Wire Transfer, PayPal, Debit/Credit Cards, and more.
  5. Bet on the NFL in Kentucky: Congratulations, your new NFL betting in Kentucky account has been set up, and you can now begin betting on professional football (and more). Head to the NFL section of the betting menu, find the game or prop you want to wager on, and enter the amount you want to “Risk.” From here, you will see how much you have the potential to win, and you can now confirm your bet. If it is a winner, your amount risked plus won will automatically be deposited into your account.

About the NFL

The National Football League (NFL) is the highest-level professional American football league in the world. Today, it consists of 32 teams divided into two conferences, the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

The league was founded in 1920, originally named the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before it was renamed the NFL in 1922. From its humble beginnings, flash forward to now and the NFL is amongst the most profitable and recognizable sporting leagues in the entire world.

Each NFL season starts out with each team playing four preseason games before a 17-regular season begins the first week of September. Following the regular season, the AFC and NFC each have their playoffs, with the season culminating in the Super Bowl; the most-watched sporting event globally held each February.

Named the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named after legendary former Green Bay head coach Vince Lombardi, all 32 teams navigate the NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, and trade each season as they compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in the world. Franchises such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots have all had dynasty runs in the league, making them the most famous teams in the NFL today.

Beyond the field, the NFL is also a part of American culture, constantly introducing social campaigns around issues such as Cancer, Veteran support, and racial injustices. With regular season games now being held in Mexico and Europe, the NFL is expanding at a rapid pace as it looks to become a global brand.

Best Kentucky gambling sites for NFL betting

With eight online sports betting sites for NFL betting in Kentucky, residents of the Bluegrass State have plenty of options to choose from. Since each of them has only been live since September 2023, we’ll break down for you the best Kentucky gambling sites for NFL betting today.

BetMGM Kentucky

BetMGM Sportsbook Kentucky

As an official betting partner of several NFL teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, BetMGM Sportsbook is one of the best NFL betting sites in Kentucky. Featuring parlay promotions such as “Edit My Bet” and “Early Cash Out”, BetMGM Sportsbook KY is a must-have for any fan of NFL parlays. When considering which NFL betting in Kentucky sites to sign up for, BetMGM Sportsbook should be at the top of every bettors’ list.

FanDuel Kentucky

FanDuel Sportsbook Kentucky

Now live in 25+ states, FanDuel Sportsbook has one of the biggest footprints in the country when it comes to NFL betting and its offerings support that. Originally making their way to Kentucky in 2014 with their Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) product, FanDuel Sportsbook KY was one of the first operators to enter the newly legalized market in the state.

DraftKings Kentucky

DraftKings Sportsbook Kentucky

Similar to FanDuel, DraftKings has also been in Kentucky for a decade, initially launching its own DraftKings DFS product in 2014. When sports betting became legal in 2014, bettors rushed to sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook KY to get their NFL betting in Kentucky appetite filled. Notably, DraftKings Sportsbook Kentucky has become known for its robust NFL Futures market, which allows bettors to wager on future events such as NFL MVP, Super Bowl Coin Toss, and much more. DraftKings Sportsbook is also the originator of the Same Game Parlay, a parlay type that allows you to combine player props and game outcomes within a single game.

Caesars Kentucky

Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky

Caesars is known for its often-lucrative Caesars Rewards program, which offers bettors points for every wager placed, both via its online and retail sportsbook and casinos. There are also NFL-targeted promotional offers you can receive from Caesars Sportsbook KY, including profit boosts, parlay boosts, and more.

NFL teams in and around Kentucky to wager on

Despite not having a team in the NFL, or any professional sports franchise for that matter, NFL betting in Kentucky is still incredibly popular. Let’s take a closer look at the NFL teams near Kentucky to wager on.

  • Cincinnati Bengals: Located just across the Ohio River in Cincinnati, OH, the Cincinnati Bengals are the closest team to Kentucky. With a large fan base in Northern Kentucky, the Bengals continue to put a great product on the field year after year.
  • Indianapolis Colts: Located in Indianapolis, IN, not far from Louisville, KY just over the southern Indiana border, the Bluegrass states have plenty of fans due to their proximity to the team.
  • Tennessee Titans: Located in Nashville, TN, the southern part of Kentucky is also home to a lot of Titans fans.

Types of bets you can place on the NFL

When you first start NFL betting in Kentucky, you might be unaware of the number of ways you can get in on the action. Let’s take a closer look at the types of bets you can place on the NFL today using any of the eight legal online sportsbooks in KY.

  • Point Spread: One of the most popular ways to get involved with NFL betting in Kentucky is wagering on a game’s point spread. In this bet, you are betting on the number of points set by oddsmakers in terms of who they think will win, and by how many points. As an example, if the Pittsburgh Steelers are -6 vs. the Cleveland Browns, oddsmakers expect the Steelers to win by six points. Conversely, a Browns +6 bet just means you have to win or lose by less than six. In this example, if the Steelers win by exactly six, your money is returned and the bet is considered a “Push” (canceled).
  • Moneyline: Betting on the moneyline is simply a bet on which team will win the game, straight up. The team with a negative (-) next to their name is the favorite, and the team with a positive (+) next to their name is the underdog. The key with the moneyline is noting the odds given, however. For example, if the Cincinnati Bengals are -150 to beat the Los Angeles Chargers (+130), you have to wager $150 to win $100. Conversely, a $100 bet on the Chargers would win you $130.
  • Total: Also known as the Over/Under, the Total is the number of points oddsmakers forecast to be scored in a given game. For example, if the Total is set at 46, the oddsmaker thinks that both teams will combine to score 46 points. Any amount of points over would mean that “over” backers would be winners, while the converse is true for “under” backers.
  • Same Game Parlay: Same Game Parlays (SGP) have become popular over the past few years, and allow bettors to place game, team, and player prop bets, all of which occur within a single game. You can also add game outcome bets such as point spreads or totals, making the combinations and potential payouts endless.

Tips for NFL betting in Kentucky

Having bet on the NFL for nearly two decades, there are a few key pieces of advice that every bettor should know. Below are just a few tips for NFL betting in Kentucky, valuable for new and seasoned bettors alike.

  • Take Out Emotion: As the most popular sport in the country, it is likely that every bettor has a favorite NFL team and player. When betting on the NFL in Kentucky, try to avoid bets involving your favorite teams and players, as emotion can often cloud your objective judgment.
  • Injuries: No league in American professional sports puts more effort into their injury report each week than the NFL. Monitor the NFL injury reports throughout the week to make sure you have the latest information before placing your bet.
  • Quarterbacks: Touching the ball on every single offensive play, no player on the field in the NFL has more of an impact on the outcome of games than the quarterback. When studying a bet, make sure you’re aware of all the components involving the quarterback, including health, situational spots, recent performances, and much more.

FAQ

Does Kentucky have an NFL team?

No, Kentucky does not have an NFL team, with the closest team being the Cincinnati Bengals, located just across the Ohio River on Kentucky’s northern border.

Is it safe to bet on the NFL in Kentucky?

Yes, thanks to the regulation provided by and backing of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), it is extremely safe and secure to bet on the NFL in Kentucky.

Is the NFL the biggest league in the USA?

Yes, the NFL is the biggest league in the USA, with the highest television ratings and annual revenue each year.

Are there any special bets for the Super Bowl?

Yes, there are thousands of special bets for the Super Bowl each year, including novelty bets including the half-time show, commercials, and much more.

Author Details

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers is a distinguished sports betting expert and author at KY Betting. With nearly ten years of industry experience, Johnny has earned acclaim for his outstanding handicapping abilities. His insightful perspectives have graced several esteemed sports and betting publications, such as All-In Magazine, Blitz Predict, FantasyPros, Betting Pros, Sportsbook Review, Golf Monthly, and OddsChecker. Johnny's dedication to delivering precise and valuable content has solidified his status as a trusted authority in the sports betting world, making him an invaluable asset to the KY Betting team.