On September 28, 2023, Kentucky officially launched online sports betting, thus opening the door for every major mobile betting operator to join the KY market. On this page, you'll find all you need to know about Kentucky sports betting apps.
Popular Promo Hot & Trending Though launch day has come and gone, there’s bound to be more betting operators announcing their plans in the state. Thus far, 7 major online sports betting apps have gone live in the state: bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and ESPN Bet.
In this Kentucky sports betting apps overview, we’ll share all the pivotal information about apps that are live in the state and those that could come to KY, along with the lucrative promos we’re expecting them to bring with them.
As stated above, 7 online sports betting apps arrived in Kentucky this September, and another that was granted a license is preparing to open soon. There will more than likely be more to come now that launch day has passed, but as of this moment, these 7 are the only ones who have rolled out.
Here’s a look at each of the betting apps that have launched in KY, as well as another that could be joining soon, and what we’re expecting from them in the KY market.
| 📱 DraftKings betting app KY | ⭐ Generous welcome bonuses & ongoing promos |
| 📱 bet365 betting app KY | ⭐ Stylish interface with live in-game betting and streaming |
| 📱 Caesars betting app KY | ⭐ Free NFL streaming & partnerships with local venues |
| 📱 FanDuel betting app KY | ⭐ Official wagering partner of the Kentucky Derby |
| 📱 BetMGM betting app KY | ⭐ Great loyalty program for existing players |
| 📱 ESPN Bet betting app KY | ⭐ Exclusive ESPN content and great rewards program |
| 📱 Fanatics betting app KY | ⭐ Mobile-centric platform with a fresh start in the Kentucky market |
| 📱 Circa Sports betting app KY | ⭐ Competitive odds and no limits on wagers |
DraftKings was one of the most recent operators to announce their KY launch, doing so on August 4, 2023. The company moved quickly to get ready for launch day and should see major success out of the gate.
We expect their sign-up bonus to be similar to the one they offer in other states. If this is the case, the DraftKings KY sign-up bonus will be Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets.
Bet365 stands out as one of the premier betting apps available, featuring a stylish homepage and a user-friendly interface. The bet365 app offers live in-game betting along with live streaming capabilities, not to mention their early cash-out feature for specific wagers.
You can download the bet365 mobile application free on both iOS and Android devices.
Bet365 has firmly established itself as one of the largest and most renowned sports betting apps in the country. Bet365 will probably be an essential choice for any passionate sports betting enthusiast in KY.
Caesars Sportsbook was one of the first big-name betting platforms to announce their plans in the Kentucky market, announcing partnerships with Keeneland and Red Mile in Lexington in May 2023.
Fortunately for KY bettors, Caesars offers one of the largest potential payouts through their welcome bonus. The Caesars Sportsbook KY projected welcome bonus is a bonus bet reward of up to $1,250 if you lose your first bet.
Like FanDuel, Caesars KY users will have to be 21 years or older to use their product.
FanDuel Kentucky has a partnership with Churchill Downs that was established in June 2023 may give the bookmaker a leg up on its Kentucky competitors, especially after the retail location at Churchill Downs went live on September 7.
The expected FanDuel welcome bonus will be a Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Although the legal betting age in KY is set at 18, FanDuel has announced that their users in the state will have to be at least 21 years old.
BetMGM is one of the most widely used betting platforms in the United States, with market access in over 20 states. They recently announced their launch plans for Kentucky as well, partnering with Revolution Racing Kentucky in August 2023.
The welcome bonus we’re expecting from BetMGM KY will be Bet $5 Get $158 in Bonus Bets.
BetMGM has also set their age requirements for the Bluegrass State at 21 years old.
PENN Entertainment’s rebranded sports betting app, ESPN Bet, has replaced the old Barstool Sportsbook branding, but it was not one of the first apps available when online sports betting launched in Kentucky as it wasn't yet ready for rollout. However, parent company PENN worked quickly after announcing the ESPN partnership in August 2023 and launched the new Kentucky site (in addition to the 16 other states where the platform operates) in November of the same year.
With exclusive content from ESPN’s on-air talent and tie-ins to ESPN’s television and digital platforms, ESPN Bet Kentucky should be a smash as it carves out a space in the KY market.
After buying out PointsBet’s United States betting operations, Fanatics debuted its sports betting app on the first day of online sports wagering in Kentucky. The app provides users with FanCash on each wager made using the bookie; FanCash can then be exchanged for betting bonuses or for merchandise discounts/purchases in Fanatics' online memorabilia outlets.
Fanatics has only launched an app, with the website redirecting to app stores for mobile downloads.
Circa Sports, a wagering app rooted in Nevada, is still in its early stages as a sports betting app, having debuted in 2019. Currently, Circa's betting app is only available in three states beyond Nevada: Colorado, Illinois, and Iowa. It hasn't yet launched in Kentucky despite holding a license to operate in the state.
Considering the relative newness of Circa's app, there are a few notable omissions that may leave users desiring more. Most notably, Circa does not provide a welcome bonus for new users, which has become a customary feature in the world of sports betting.
However, they do offer competitive odds, and their mobile application boasts user-friendly navigation. Circa also does not impose limits on potential winnings, allowing users to wager virtually any amount on their chosen bets.
Yes, sports betting apps are legal in Kentucky. Mobile betting apps were permitted to launch on September 28, 2023. Thus far, bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics and ESPN Bet have all launched in KY.
Bettors from all around Kentucky are now free to download any of the best legal betting apps they can get their hands on. Luckily, downloading betting apps is typically a pretty straightforward process that doesn’t take much longer than about five minutes. Most betting applications are free to download and are available on both iOS and Android devices.
Here’s a quick rundown of how to download Kentucky betting apps onto both devices.
Like the process for downloading betting apps, signing up for betting operators in Kentucky is also fairly easy. It shouldn’t take users more than 10 minutes to complete. The registration process can differ a bit from sportsbook to sportsbook, but most of the general information users need to provide remains the same.
Here’s an overview of how to register for a betting app in KY.
The types of bets offered on betting apps in KY are mostly consistent between platforms, though there may be some variance in the sports available with each bookmaker. Here are a few of the more common types of bets you'll find.
Kentucky sports betting apps will regularly rotate their welcome bonuses to keep things fresh for new bettors while also having generous offers on the table for active returning users. Types of promotions typically vary between betting operators, but most of them follow the same general guidelines.
Here’s a look at the most popular kinds of Kentucky sports betting promos.
Sports betting apps typically offer a wide variety of payment options to their users. And more often than not, the same payment methods offered on a sportsbook’s website are usually found in the betting app as well.
Here are some of the most commonly-accepted deposit and withdrawal options for sports bettors in Kentucky.
When choosing which betting app to start your sports betting venture with, it’s always important to thoroughly go over the aspects that make each KY betting app unique.
Here are a few things to consider:
Betting apps are rarely perfect, but they certainly add a few benefits to your betting experience compared to the KY sportsbook desktop iteration. On the other hand, there can be some drawbacks as well. Here are some pros and cons of using KY betting apps over a regular desktop sportsbook.
Sports betting apps launched in Kentucky on September 28, 2023.
Yes, most KY betting applications offer a wide range of promotions. The only exception is Circa Sports, which hasn't yet launched but has been granted a KY license. Circa does not offer promos in any of the states where it has already launched.
Yes, more often than not, sports betting apps are very easy to use. A majority of sports wagers are placed online, especially through betting apps, so many gambling operators have optimized their platforms for mobile users.
Fact checked by: Gary Garry
