Compared to its neighboring states of Indiana and West Virginia, the state of Kentucky has still taken a rather conservative approach to all things gambling. There are still forms, however, of casinos in Louisville, Kentucky, which we’ll dive into today at length.
While traditional legislation has still not passed in the Bluegrass State, gamblers in the state still have some options when it comes to getting in on the action. Without further ado, let's dive into all things casinos in Louisville, Kentucky, including where they are located and the types of games you can expect when Louisville casinos eventually do open.
Are there any land-based casinos in Louisville?
No, there are no land-based casinos in Louisville Kentucky in the traditional sense of a casino, but there is a gaming facility. Derby City Gaming, which opened in September of 2018, is located in downtown Louisville and offers customers historical racing machines that mirror slot machines.
Instead of being based on randomized luck, however, racing machines use past results of pari-mutuel racing in the state to determine its winners.
Like traditional casinos, Derby City Gaming is open 24 hours a day and seven days per week and offers more than 1,300 horse racing machines for its patrons to enjoy. Gamblers can place bets anywhere from $0.01 to $1, and there are different types of horse racing machines to choose from.
Also like traditional casinos, Derby City Gaming requires its visitors to be 21 years of age or older.
For those looking to make a night or week out of their experience at Louisville’s Derby City Gaming, there is also a hotel with more than 120 rooms and suites. For regulars, there is a Players Club, which offers reward points for gaming there and staying at their hotel. Lastly, there are a plethora of options for dining, including Railbirds Hot Chicken Restaurant, Oliver’s Chop House & Bourbon Bar, and Lil’ Wagner's Restaurant.
Are any casinos opening in Louisville soon?
No, as of early 2024, there are no publicly available plans for casinos opening in Louisville anytime soon. First, legislation must pass in the Bluegrass State to allow for traditional brick-and-mortar casinos in Kentucky to even operate.
Many gamblers in the state, however, believe that 2023 was a good step forward, as Kentucky sports betting legislation was passed in the state and launched in September to much success and fanfare.
Once state lawmakers get a taste of the hundreds of millions in gambling revenue for the state, the hope is that casinos, both online and retail, will be next on the legislative agenda.
Types of games you could play at Louisville casinos if they open
If Louisville casinos eventually do open, the expectation would be that all of the popular casino games available in neighboring states such as West Virginia and Ohio would be available. Let’s take a closer look at the types of games you could play at Louisville casinos if they open.
