HomeDaily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky

Daily fantasy sports in Kentucky

Despite having no formal legislation around it, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in Kentucky is popular and major operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel have set up shop in the Bluegrass State. Similar to sports betting, DFS allows players to create fantasy teams in different sports, with entry fees and elevating cash prize structures for the winners.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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Let’s take a deeper look at Daily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky, breaking down everything you need to know about the status of the industry today.

Yes, DFS is legal in Kentucky, however, the state has not yet passed any formal legislation that is specific to DFS. The fact that major DFS operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel have been able to operate there since 2014 with no legal consequences, indicates that the state of Kentucky considers their services to be within KY laws.

Kentucky has followed the path of many other states in the country in allowing Daily Fantasy Sports to operate freely and without restrictions. Largely, this is due to DFS being considered a game of skill, while casinos and KY sports betting are considered games of chance. While the truth likely lies somewhere in between, Daily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky continues to be a one-stop shop for sports fans who love action in the state.

Best DFS betting sites in Kentucky

There are currently two DFS betting sites in Kentucky, both of which have national prominence in the industry and operate in the majority of states nationwide. Let’s take a closer look at the two best DFS betting sites in Kentucky; DraftKings and FanDuel.

DraftKings Kentucky

DraftKings

One of the leaders in the DFS space throughout the country, DraftKings offers daily, weekly, and monthly contests on a wide variety of sports including NFL, MLB, NBA, UFC, Golf, NHL, NASCAR, and more. Best known for the user-friendliness of their mobile app, DraftKings is a great option for both new and veteran DFS players. The contest types range from head-to-head matchups to tournaments, with prize pools and entry fees ranging all over the board. There is also a stellar loyalty program, as DraftKings Rewards offers players points for every entry made. For fans of their DraftKings Sportsbook, the rewards program spans across the two offerings to create an all-in-one experience for their most loyal customers.

FanDuel Kentucky

FanDuel

The other de facto leader in the world of DFS in the United States is FanDuel. Actually the first major player in the country in terms of DFS (2009), even before DraftKings, FanDuel also has an incredibly intuitive user interface and mobile app. With contests for single games, as well as week-long contests, FanDuel is a great option for new players as there is truly something for everyone. When building your fantasy lineup, like DraftKings, FanDuel will show you stats and help you build your lineup to your exact liking. Another thing that FanDuel DFS has become known for is its promotions, offering new players lucrative bonuses for signing up for new accounts. Lastly, the customer service provided by FanDuel is the best in the industry, leaving you with plenty of options in the rare event you need to get in touch with support.

Getting started with Daily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky

With two terrific options when it comes to Daily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky, there are only a few simple steps for getting things rolling. Let’s take a closer look at what is needed to get started with Daily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky.

  1. Choose Operator: First, you’ll want to decide which DFS platform to get started with in KY, with FanDuel Kentucky and DraftKings Kentucky being your two choices. Both have pros and cons, and you can learn more about each in the previous section.
  2. Create Account: Once you’ve decided which DFS platform to go with, start the process by signing up for an account. This will include entering basic information such as username, email, and password, followed by more personal information such as first and last name, home address, phone number, date of birth, gender, and other general information. The only requirement is that you must be 18 years of age or older.
  3. Learn the Rules: Not only will the DFS platform you choose, DraftKings or FanDuel, have its own set of terms and conditions and privacy policies, but different rules for different contests. Make sure you understand the rules for each type of contest, such as how teams are drafted, how points are allocated, and which places in the standings earn prizes. Each contest has a different set of rules, so make sure you understand them before entering.
  4. Deposit Money: In order to play in the contests, some with entries as low as $1, you must first deposit funds. Both DraftKings and FanDuel have a plethora of options when it comes to payment methods, which include debit/credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and more. Choose the deposit method that works best for you and deposit a minimum of $10. If you decide to take a bonus, make sure you are aware of any terms and conditions regarding deposit (and play) requirements.
  5. Choose Your Contest: Now that your account is set up and you have money in your account, the time has come to enter contests. Find the sport and league you want to play in first, the entry fee you want to pay and begin building your lineup. Often, there are free-to-enter contests, which are a good choice to start out as you learn the platform.

What types of DFS leagues can I bet on in Kentucky?

Whether you decide to go with DraftKings or FanDuel as your DFS platform of choice in KY, there are multiple ways to get involved in the action. Let’s take a look at what types of DFS leagues you can bet on in Kentucky.

  • Cash Games: Whether it be 50/50s where the prize pool is split, head-to-head matchups, or competing against everyone in the contest, cash games pay out the top half of most fields. They are less volatile, and give players more chances to win prizes.
  • Leagues: Leagues allow you to compete against friends and family, or just a select group of players. You can either make them private or public, with sizes and payout structure being customizable.
  • Multipliers: These types of contests allow you to increase the entry fee by a factor (3x, 5x, etc.) if you finish in the top portion of the contest. Similar to cash games, the winnings become exponentially higher based on the number of entries.
  • Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP) Tournaments: These are the largest type of DFS leagues you can bet on in Kentucky, with a significant portion of all entry fees returned to players. With payouts being top-heavy, the top finishers often win enormous prizes.

Advice for playing Daily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky

Around more than a decade before we started seeing legal online sports betting in this country, the Daily Fantasy Sports industry has plenty of history to draw on. Based on my 5+ years of experience, below is some expert advice for playing Daily Fantasy Sports in Kentucky.

  • Start Small (Or Free): Both DraftKings and FanDuel have leagues and contests that you can enter for low stakes, and some that are even free. Before you start swinging for the fences, join some of these smaller fee contests to get to know the platform and learn some of the rules involved.
  • Do Your Research: Legal in almost every state in the country, there is no shortage of third-party websites, social media accounts, and YouTube accounts dedicated to DFS contests. When setting your lineups, do your research to understand the dos and don’ts of DFS contests in the different sports and leagues available.
  • Monitor Injury Reports: Particularly important in the NFL and NBA, keeping an eye on the daily injury reports can mean the difference between winning and losing contests. Follow beat reporters on X to have the knowledge on injuries before they are reflected in DFS prices.

Timeline of Daily Fantasy Sports Legislation in Kentucky

DFS legislation in Kentucky can be boiled down to a few, brief moments over the past 10 years. Let’s take a closer look at the timeline of Daily Fantasy Sports Legislation in Kentucky, including how we got to where we are today.

  • 2014: Around 2009, the quick rise of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) throughout the country arrived in the BlueGrass State. Though there was no legislative action to prompt, both DraftKings and FanDuel launched in the state to no pushback from legislators.
  • 2015: Seeing the potential tax revenue, Kentucky legislators began to show interest in DFS. Though there was much talk, no formal bills or regulations that specifically mentioned DFS were rolled out.
  • 2016: Kentucky’s Attorney General at the time, Andy Beshear, stated that DFS is a game of skill, and therefore falls outside of gambling laws in Kentucky. This was the first public acknowledgment of DFS by a lawmaker in Kentucky and gave DFS operators a sense of peace moving forward
  • 2017: While interest from legislators continued to grow in terms of regulation of DFS in Kentucky, lawmakers once again failed to pass any DFS-exclusive legislation. There were bills drafted, but none was able to pass the House or Senate in KY.
  • 2024: Since 2017, no further legislative actions have been taken against DFS in the state, and like others, Kentucky DFS continues to operate in a legal gray space.

FAQ

What is the difference between DFS and Kentucky sports betting?

The difference between DFS and Kentucky sports betting, is that DFS is considered a game of skill, whereas sports betting is considered a game of chance. Because DFS falls in the skill category, it does not fall within what the state considers gambling.

Do you have to pay taxes on Daily Fantasy Sports winnings in KY?

Yes, as is the case in all other states where DFS platforms operate, you must pay Federal and State taxes on your Daily Fantasy Sports winnings in KY. At both the Federal and State levels, DFS winnings are considered income, and the same rates are applied.

When was DFS legalized in Kentucky?

DFS forest appeared in Kentucky in 2014, though there has been no formal legislation to allow or prohibit it. As stated by the Kentucky Attorney General in 2016, DFS is considered a game of skill and thus sits outside of gambling laws prohibiting it.

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.