HomeNHL Betting in Kentucky

NHL betting in Kentucky

Despite having no franchises, NHL betting in Kentucky is still a surprisingly popular option for bettors when it comes to sports betting. Legalized officially in March 2023 and launched six months later (September 2023), online sports betting in Kentucky is showing no signs of slowing down.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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With approximately 4.5 million residents, the Bluegrass state has already shown an appetite to support eight different online sportsbooks. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them, as well as discuss everything else you need to know about NHL betting in Kentucky.

Best KY betting apps for NHL betting

Thanks to the legalization passed in March 2023 in the Bluegrass State, Kentucky sports bettors now have no shortage of KY betting apps to choose from. With eight legally operating sports betting apps currently available, all partnered with local casinos race tracks, the current list 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).

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the four best KY betting apps for NHL betting.

DraftKings Kentucky

DraftKings Sportsbook Kentucky

One of the very first American sports betting operators to set up shop following the overturning of The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018 was DraftKings Sportsbook, launching early in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, amongst other states. In the state of Kentucky, DraftKings has been operating in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) space since 2014, making a DraftKings Sports KY betting app a no-brainer on day one of legalization. Offering NHL-specific promotional offers and Same Game Parlays focused on hockey, DraftKings Sportsbook KY is a terrific choice for NHL betting in Kentucky.

Caesars Kentucky

Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky

As an official betting partner of the NHL, Caesars Sportsbook KY offers some of the most competitive NHL odds in the industry today. Caesars Sportsbook KY is also home to one of the best welcome offers in the industry, offering bettors $1,000 back in bonus bets should their first bet be lower. Additionally, the world-class Caesars Rewards loyalty program allows bettors to earn points on every bet placed, both in their retail casino and sportsbooks, as well as their online counterparts. One of the more intuitive KY betting apps, Caesars Sportsbook is another great choice for NHL betting in Kentucky.

FanDuel Kentucky

FanDuel Sportsbook Kentucky

Similar to DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook was one of the first United States sports betting operators to hit the market in early 2019. Also like DraftKings, FanDuel has had a presence in the Bluegrass State since 2014, offering their DFS product to millions of Kentucky sports fans. When sports betting operators were given the green light to launch in September, FanDuel Sportsbook KY quickly became one of the most popular sites for NHL betting in Kentucky.

BetMGM Kentucky

BetMGM Sportsbook Kentucky

BetMGM Sportsbook is another online sports betting site that has an official partnership with the NHL, giving fans unparalleled access to a range of NHL betting types. Like Caesars, they have a stellar rewards BetMGM Rewards, that allows customers to accrue points over their mobile and online platforms, as well as when visiting one of the dozens of retail properties nationwide. Their “Edit My Bet” feature allows NHL bettors to edit parlays already in motion, giving them control over a bet that otherwise they would not have. With one of the best mobile betting experiences in Kentucky, BetMGM Sportsbook KY is a must-download for any sports bettor in the Bluegrass State.

Which NHL betting promos do Kentucky sportsbooks offer?

For NHL bettors looking to sign up for Kentucky sportsbook accounts, there are a few promotional offers you should be aware of. Let’s take a closer look at three NHL betting props that Kentucky sportsbooks offer today, all of which are available for new customers only.

DraftKings Kentucky

DraftKings Sportsbook KY

As one of the originators, DraftKings offers the NHL Same Game Parlay which is like a traditional parlay, except it must be composed of a mix of prop bets and straight bets, all within the same game. An example of an NHL Same Game Parlay would be, using a Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals game as an example: Sidney Crosby Over 1 Goal (-110) + Alexander Ovechkin Over 2.5 Assists + Pittsburgh Penguins (-150).

FanDuel Kentucky

FanDuel Sportsbook KY

The “Bet $5, Get $150” welcome offer that FanDuel Sportsbook KY can be used entirely on NHL betting, and offers new customers $150 in bonus bets simply for signing up for a new account. While there is a $10 minimum deposit requirement, once a player places an NHL (or other) bet, $150 in bonus bets is immediately credited to their account. Those bonus bets can be used on a variety of NHL bet types, more of which we will cover in more detail below.

Caesars Kentucky

Caesars Sportsbook KY

The best welcome offer amongst the online sportsbooks in Kentucky is the one offered by Caesars Sportsbook. With their “First Bet up to $1,000 on Us”, new customers can place a first bet of up to $1,000, and if it is a loser, it will be credited back to their account in the form of bonus bets. That first bet, for example, could be on the NHL postseason, and other terms and conditions apply.

How do I begin wagering on the NHL in Kentucky?

Wagering on the NHL in Kentucky has never been easier, as all eight of the online sportsbooks in Kentucky offer hockey betting. All eight of them also have an easy signup process, which we’ll cover below in three simple steps.

  1. Get Bonus: Starting right here at KYBetting.com, choose which of the eight online sportsbooks in KY you want to sign up for. Once decided, click the “Get Bonus” button at the top of the page, and you’ll be automatically routed to their sign-up page with the best welcome offer available applied behind the scenes. If signing up via a mobile device, you’ll be prompted by the Apple or Google Play store to download their sports betting app (for free).
  2. Enter Information: To start, you’ll be asked to enter your desired login credentials which may include username, email address, and password. Next, you’ll have to prove your identity by entering legal information such as your first and last name, home address, phone number, date of birth, gender, and lastly, the last four digits of your social security number.
  3. Deposit Funds: Because of the regulation and oversight provided by the official gaming body of Kentucky, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), you will have a plethora of methods to deposit (and withdraw) funds into your new account. These include, but are not limited to, wire transfers, online banking, Venmo, PayPal, and more.

Common bet types in ice hockey

With no shortage of competition amongst legal online bookies in Kentucky, operators are constantly expanding their menus of bet types in ice hockey. Sticking to the basics, however, let’s take a closer look at a few of the most common bet types in ice hockey; each of which is followed by an example under the “NHL betting odds” section below.

  • Puck line: Referred to as a point spread in other sports, the Puck Line is how many goals an oddsmaker forecasts a team will win (or lose) by. Set at +1.5 or -1.5, the negative sign indicates the favorite, or the team expected to win, and the positive sign indicates the team that is expected to lose (underdog).
  • Moneyline: Just like in other sports, the money line wager in ice hockey is simply a bet on which team will win. The team with a negative (-) next to their odds is the expected favorite, while the positive sign indicates the underdog (+). While we’ll get to a specific example in the next section, it’s important to know that you have to bet more to win less with favorites, with the converse being true for underdogs.
  • Total: Also like other sports, the total is simply the number of goals an oddsmaker forecasts will be scored in a game. Also referred to as an “over/under”, the combined scores of both teams make up the “total” number of goals scored in a game. When there are more combined goals, between both teams, than the posted Total, “over” backers would be graded as winners, with the converse being true for “under” backers.

NHL betting odds

Despite there being no NHL team in the state, NHL betting odds are still a critical component of NHL betting in Kentucky that you should be aware of. Using the nearby Nashville Predators, let’s look at a few examples of how you read NHL betting odds. 

Puck Line (Including OT)

Nashville Predators +1.5 (-160) vs. Philadelphia Flyers -1.5 (+135)
In this example, oddsmakers are predicting that the Flyers will beat the Predators by at least two goals, and if they do, a $100 bettor would win $135 in addition to receiving their $100 back. If the Flyers win by just one goal, say 2-1 for example, or of the Predators win, Predators Puck Line bettors would be graded winners.

Moneyline (Including OT)

Nashville Predators (+150) vs. Washington Capitals (-140)

In this example, the Predators are again the underdogs, this time in their matchup versus the Washington Capitals. Bettors who place a $100 wager on the Predators would win an additional $150 if the Predators were able to get the job done. Conversely, if a bettor wanted to win $100 on the Capitals, they would have to risk $140.

Total (Including OT)

Nashville Predators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Over 6.5 (-120) Under 6.5 (+120)

In this matchup, oddsmakers are predicting that approximately 6.5 goals will be scored when the Predators take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Accordingly, if the score was Predators 4 Penguins 3, Predators 5 Penguins 4, Penguins 6 Predators 1, the “Over” bettors would be graded winners. In a low-scoring game that has a combined less than seven goals, “Under” bettors would be graded winners.

Expert tips for NHL wagering in Kentucky

For those NHL betting in Kentucky for the first time, or season veterans looking for some advice, we’ve put together a few nuggets. Based on more than a decade betting on the NHL, let’s take a closer look at a few expert tips for NHL wagering in Kentucky.

  • Goalie Metrics: The one player on the ice in NHL betting that never comes off the ice, is both team’s goalies. Accordingly, it often becomes the most important position in terms of preventing goals, which affects nearly all NHL bet types. Make sure you know how certain goalies play home vs. away, against certain teams, and on “X” days of rest.
  • Scheduling Spots: With 82 NHL games in the regular season alone, teams often play on back-to-back nights or two games in three days. Make sure you are aware of how the schedule is set up when NHL wagering in Kentucky.
  • Injuries: Unlike other sports, the injury report is not as black and white, leading to some discrepancies on who actually plays versus what is baked into the odds. Digging deep into injuries, by methods such as following the NHL team’s beat writers, you can gain an edge on the sportsbook.

FAQ

Is it legal to bet on the NHL in Kentucky?

Yes, it is legal to bet on the NHL in Kentucky, with legislation officially passing in March 2023 with online sportsbooks launching in September 2023. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) provides the oversight and regulation of the sports betting industry in the state of KY.

Do KY sportsbooks offer NHL betting promos?

Yes, KY sportsbooks offer NHL betting promos, with all eight online sportsbooks having multiple. Each of the online sportsbooks in Kentucky, which include 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), offering a constantly revolving menu of NHL betting promos.

Is NHL betting popular in Kentucky?

Yes, NHL betting is popular in Kentucky and can be done at all eight of the legal online sportsbooks in the state. Despite having no professional ice hockey team, the sport continues to gain popularity in the betting markets each month.

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.