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Kentucky casino apps

This piece is an anticipatory look at Kentucky casino apps. Online casino gambling for real money is still prohibited under state law.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
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Kentucky has been quite resistant to most forms of gambling expansion. While retail and online sports betting launched in the state in September 2023, there has still been heavy legislative opposition.

In June 2023 (following sports betting legalization but before the launch), Gov. Andy Beshear signed a bill banning what are known as “gray machines,” so named because these betting devices form a legal gray area between being a skill-based or luck-based game. This bill indicates it will likely be a long time before online gambling arrives in Kentucky, even if the emerging sports betting industry proves successful.

With that in mind, this piece will provide a preparatory view of what Kentucky casino apps could look like, including what operators could be on the way, what games will be available, and how to sign up for online casinos. We’ll also touch on available bonuses and provide updates on any active bills to legalize online casino gaming in Kentucky.

Best expected casino apps in Kentucky

If online casinos in Kentucky are legalized, we expect these operators to be among the earliest to arrive and the strongest performers in the market.

DraftKings Casino Kentucky Logo

DraftKings Casino Kentucky

DraftKings is becoming one of the industry leaders in gambling spaces. Founded in 2012 as a daily fantasy sports platform, DK has since added a sportsbook and a casino platform to its gaming repertoire.

Because of the company’s sports background, many DraftKings games will have games with sports themes/aesthetics, especially for the local markets of their operating states. While this doesn’t mean you should expect ties to UK or Louisville athletics, it's possible you’ll see slot titles based around the Kentucky Derby or horse racing.

BetRivers Logo

BetRivers Casino Kentucky

While DraftKings got its start in the sports world, BetRivers did just the opposite, starting as a retail casino (Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh) before launching an online platform and later adding a sportsbook.

BetRivers users will enjoy the iRush Rewards Program, which gives players bonuses, gambling perks, and other excellent benefits for their continued loyalty to the casino app. Each dollar wagered earns points to move through reward tiers towards escalating rewards.

Caesars Palace Online Casino Kentucky

Caesars Palace Online Casino Kentucky

Caesars’ presence in the casino space dates back to 1937 when Bill Harrah opened his first bingo parlor in Reno, NV. Since then, the company has flourished into a gambling empire, with more than 50 properties across the United States.

Surprisingly, Caesars didn’t launch its online casino app and website until August 2023, making it one of the newest platforms in the industry. The Caesars retail location in Elizabeth, IN (across the Ohio River from Louisville) is already a popular draw and could help build the operator’s brand in Kentucky ahead of a potential online gambling launch.

FanDuel Casino Kentucky Logo

FanDuel Casino Kentucky

FanDuel is one of the official betting partners of the Kentucky Derby, which almost certainly means it would be among the first operators to launch in KY should the state legalize online casino gaming. The operator has also launched its Kentucky sportsbook and has been jockeying with DraftKings for the top of the handle rankings.

One of the top features of FanDuel’s online casino is the Rewards Machine, which gives players a free chance each day to win $2,000. Bettors must match three players on their daily spin to win, and to date, FanDuel has paid out more than $100M to its users through the Rewards Machine.

BetMGM Casino Kentucky Logo

BetMGM Casino Kentucky

Rounding out our list is BetMGM Casino, which like BetRivers makes its bonuses frequent and generous for regular and casual players alike. The rewards program is one of the most user-friendly and beneficial in the industry.

On the platform, you’ll find more than 450 slot titles plus another 50+ jackpot slot games at any given time. BetMGM also excels in its live dealer games and has an impressive array of poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette games.

No, casino apps are not legal in Kentucky. State law has made online casino gambling illegal, and Kentucky’s brick-and-mortar gambling rooms are quite limited in what games they are permitted to offer.

The only permissible alternative in the meantime is to play at a sweepstakes casino, which is legal and does not require players to gamble real money on approved platforms. While it may be tempting, you should never gamble at an offshore casino (we’ll explain why later on this page).

Are there any active bills to legalize casino apps in Kentucky?

No, there are not any active bills to legalize casino apps in Kentucky at this time. However, if such bills are introduced, in committee, and/or voted on in the future, we will update this section accordingly.

Gov. Andy Beshear has long been a proponent of legalizing casino wagering, which would be an important precursor to online gambling expansion. However, other lawmakers aren’t as keen, with Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer saying “There is no appetite in the General Assembly for any further gaming expansion. It’s been a very challenging couple of years… There’s a little bit of gaming fatigue, and I would just discourage any of the gaming companies from talking about doing any further expansion in Kentucky."

How you will be able to sign up for a casino app in Kentucky

The signup process for a casino app in Kentucky will have some subtle differences between operators, but the general order should look something like this once the state goes live.

  1. Learn more about the individual operators: Once Kentucky legalizes online casino gambling, KYBetting.com will compose thorough reviews of each approved operator. We will base the reviews in advance on the app’s performance in other states and update with the latest Kentucky-specific information following launch day so you’ll always have the most up-to-the-minute information available!
  2. Create your account: Though you can certainly choose to create your account from within the app, we’ve found the signup process to be quicker and more convenient on a desktop computer than on a mobile device. At a minimum, you’ll need to provide your legal name, home address (no P.O. boxes), email address, phone number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
  3. Download the app: Next, you’ll need to locate the app in your device’s app store. While sports betting operators occasionally have multiple apps for their platforms that are segmented by state, the limited number of approved operators and small number of states offering online casino gambling should make the app relatively easy to find.
  4. Make a deposit: Before you’ll be permitted to gamble on the platform, you’ll need to make a real-money deposit. This is the case even if you intend to only use bonus credits or free spins from the welcome offer while playing. You’ll find a list of approved payment methods as part of our casino reviews.
  5. Choose which game you want to play and go win big!: Finally, choose your favorite casino game or try out a few of the games you’re not as familiar with to find which ones you enjoy the most. For your convenience, many of the games will have free-to-play trial versions, allowing you to give things a test run before playing for real money.

Possible bonuses at online casino apps in Kentucky

These are just a few of the possible bonuses you’ll find at online casino apps in Kentucky once the state approves online casino gambling:

  • Free spins: Free spins are a type of bonus that is specific to slot games, giving players a chance to try their luck at the reels without having to tap into funds from their bankroll. Some slot titles, such as progressive jackpots, may be excluded from free spin promos, so be sure to check the terms and conditions before deciding which game you’ll use to claim the bonus.
  • Deposit matches: Deposit match bonuses reward players for funding their account by providing a matching amount of betting credit to use on the app. These credits won’t hold any real-money value but they are a great way to gamble on the platform without the same financial investment towards trying to win.
  • Second-chance/replay bonuses: Most popular as part of a welcome bonus offer, second-chance bonuses give players a chance to recoup their net losses from a given time period (usually 24 hours) and award credit in the net loss amount. This can result in winning back enough to cover the losses, or better yet to turn a profit instead of ending up in the red after the promo.

Which games could you be able to play at casino apps in Kentucky?

There are many games that could be available to play at casino apps in Kentucky following the state’s online casino gambling launch. Here are a few of the games that we expect to be among the most popular among KY gamblers.

  • Online slots: Online slots will almost always account for the bulk of titles at an online casino app. It’s not uncommon for slot games to outnumber all other titles by a ratio of 5:1 or higher. These games can take on a variety of thematic elements, differ in the number of reels offered, or have jackpots available for matching up the correct symbols on the reels.
  • Blackjack: Also known as “21,” the goal of blackjack is to put together a hand that is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding a value of 21. Aces are worth 1 or 11 depending on the situation, cards 2-10 match their face value, and face cards are all worth 10. At online casinos, these games can be offered using either a random number generator (RNG) within the casino platform or with a live dealer.
  • Baccarat: The objective of baccarat is to predict which hand will have the highest value (the closest to “9”) from any of three possible outcomes: the player’s hand, the dealer’s hand, or a tie. Aces are worth one point, while cards 2-9 match the face value of the card. Unlike blackjack, 10s and face cards all have a value of “0.” Bets are locked before any cards are dealt, and then players receive cards depending on the hand’s value (this is in place of choosing to “hit” or “stand” as is what happens while playing blackjack).

Pros and cons of casino apps vs. desktop online casinos in Kentucky

The decision on whether to use a casino app or a desktop online casino in Kentucky will be a matter of individual preference once both options are available. To help you prepare for making that decision, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons of each platform type.

Pros

  • Casino apps allow for on-the-go gaming: When casino apps are legal in Kentucky, you’ll be able to play from anywhere within the state borders, provided you have an internet connection or cell phone/mobile device data to use.
  • Casino apps do a better job with notifications: One of the ways online casinos will inform you of new games on the platform or the latest promo offers you can claim is by sending you push notifications. While you can still get notifications in a web browser, they may not show up right away, especially if the casino site is running in the background. You also won’t need to have the casino app running to get the notifications while you must have the desktop site open to receive the alerts.
  • Casino apps are more customizable: Unlike casino web pages that tend to be static and uniform, casino app interfaces tend to offer greater customizability, giving you options to change the display, make certain games show up first when opening the app, and more.

Cons

  • Casino apps have a smaller display: Generally speaking, a larger screen tends to streamline the signup process when getting ready to play at an online casino. The smaller display of the app can also lead you to misplay a hand or make an unintentional wager; this risk isn’t as great with a bigger display.
  • Casino apps require updates: One major benefit of a desktop casino site is that you’ll always be playing with the latest software. With casino apps, you’ll need to manually update the app (to avoid being blocked from using the app altogether) or risk having the app update automatically and potentially remove you from a playing session.
  • Casino apps leech your battery life: Assuming you’ve got your desktop computer plugged in, you’ll have virtually limitless battery life while playing at an online casino. However, on mobile devices, the app’s geolocation tool will constantly be sending a signal to verify you’re within the state border and legally allowed to play. This tool puts a faster drain on your battery life than other non-gambling apps that don’t use this feature.

Why should you avoid offshore casino apps?

As we alluded to earlier, offshore casino apps should be avoided under every circumstance. Here are a few of the reasons why.

  • Offshore casinos don’t have to play fair: Because offshore casinos don’t operate within any legal jurisdiction, they can set their own rules for payout rates, win probability, limits, and the speed of payment. This can leave players in a scenario where they are more likely to lose money and their winnings more likely to be capped at a lower amount.
  • You won’t have a legal claim if you run into problems: If you somehow managed to win a large amount of money while playing at an offshore casino, it’s possible the operator could block you from claiming your winnings, or at least refuse to pay out the full amount in one lump sum. With your winnings held hostage, you could not take the casino to court because they are outside of your legal jurisdiction. You would then be at the casino’s mercy in trying to collect, which could take months or even years.
  • Offshore casinos could compromise your information: Legitimate online casinos must undergo rigorous cybersecurity tests to show that they can keep players’ personal and financial information safe at all times. However, offshore casinos don’t have any oversight agency setting standards and requiring compliance. Not only would your information be open to identity theft, but it could also be sold by the offshore casino to acquire funds for paying out winners.

FAQ

What are the withdrawal methods available on casino apps?

The withdrawal methods available on casino apps will vary slightly depending on where you choose to play. Most commonly, you’ll be able to withdraw directly to your bank account or debit card if you’ve linked those. You may also be able to use a third-party service like PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Skrill, or Google Pay.

Are there any casino apps that offer live dealer games in Kentucky?

No, there are no casino apps that offer live dealer games in Kentucky. This is because online gambling is illegal under KY law. Once the legal status changes, we will update this section with a list of the approved casinos that offer live dealer games.

How do casino apps ensure fair play and randomness in games?

Casino apps ensure fair play and randomness in games through the use of random number generators (RNGs) to come up with a random sequence of possible outcomes. These RNGs make results no more or less predictable than playing at a brick-and-mortar casino.

Can I use cryptocurrency to gamble on KY casino apps?

No, you cannot use cryptocurrency to gamble on KY casino apps. Kentucky does not allow online casino gambling, and operators that have been licensed in states where the practice is legal typically do not allow cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. If you plan to use digital currencies to finance online gambling activities, you will need to convert your crypto to USD first.

Author Details

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley is a researcher and author at KY Betting. He boasts over a decade of experience as a hockey commentator for junior teams across the country. When not writing about sports betting, he enjoys a fishing trip or watching the NHL.