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Kentucky online casino bonuses

Online casinos are prohibited in Kentucky, but if the legal status changes, this page will update to contain info about the best available bonus offers and how the promos work.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
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Table of contents

Online casinos in Kentucky remain illegal as do their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Multiple efforts to legalize land-based casinos in recent years have died out in legislative committees before making it to a ballot initiative or to a public vote as part of a constitutional referendum.

However, public opinion around casino gambling could move in favor of allowing the practice following the launch of sports betting in Kentucky in September 2023. Gov. Andy Beshear has repeatedly claimed the state loses $500 million in casino revenue annually to neighboring states that allow the practice.

To prepare in case the legal status of online casinos changes in Kentucky, we’ve prepared for you information about online casino bonuses, including how they work, how to claim them, and pros and cons of using bonuses.

Best Kentucky online casino bonuses

Online casino bonuses in Kentucky aren’t available yet since online casinos that play for money are still illegal in the state (social/sweepstakes casinos are permitted to operate). Once that status changes, we’ll update this section with the top available offers.

When will Kentucky online casino bonuses become available?

There is no timetable for when Kentucky online casino bonuses will become available. However, it is likely in-person casinos would be permitted before online casinos in KY. This would follow the national trend as far more states permit brick-and-mortar casinos to operate than allow online gaming.

How you would claim a Kentucky online casino bonus

Once online casinos are permitted to operate in Kentucky, you could claim a bonus either as part of a welcome offer or as a returning player. This section will detail the claim process as though you were claiming a welcome bonus.

  1. Choose a casino: Picking a spot to play is the most important step, and finding the right casino will require some research. Fortunately, once online casinos in Kentucky are available, we’ll have written detailed reviews of each gambling operator so you aren’t going in uninformed, complete with links to the signup forms and promo codes where needed.
  2. Create your account: Once you’ve decided where to play, you’ll need to set up your account. To do this, you’ll need an email address, password, and phone number. You may also need to pick a security question or two and answer appropriately.
  3. Verify your identity and eligibility: As part of the signup process, you’ll be required to verify you are legally eligible to gamble at online casinos in Kentucky. To do so, you’ll need to provide, at minimum, your legal name, address, date of birth, gender, and the last four digits of your social security number.
  4. Complete the signup: Finishing the signup process typically involves checking boxes agreeing to the privacy policy and the terms of service. You may also have the chance to opt in to receiving promotional messages via text message or email. When you’re done, click “complete” to submit the registration.
  5. Make a real-money deposit: The final step to claiming a Kentucky online casino bonus will be to make a deposit with your preferred banking method. Pay close attention to the terms and conditions of the welcome bonus offer to ensure the amount you deposit qualifies you for the offer.

It will take some time before online casinos arrive in Kentucky and begin offering bonuses, but once the state allows them to operate, we expect these bonuses will be quite popular.

  • Bonus spins: Sometimes called “free spins” on promotional pages (though this terminology is being phased out in some states), bonus spins are a boon to those who enjoy playing online slots. Bonus spins give you a chance to spin the reels on your favorite slot titles without pulling funds from your online casino account. Check the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you are able to use the bonus on given slots, and know that a bonus spin may not be eligible for winning a jackpot.
  • Replay bonus: Replay bonuses are somewhat common as part of a welcome bonus offer because they increase the likelihood of early profitability at an online casino. This bonus works by calculating your net losses within a given period of time (usually 24 hours, but this exact limit can vary); you’ll then receive gambling credits equal to that net amount.
  • Deposit matches: Offering a wider range of utility than bonus spins, deposit matches award gambling credits at a proportional rate to the amount of money you deposit into your online casino account. Most of the time, this is a dollar-for-dollar match, though again, the exact rate could vary and may be capped at a certain dollar amount.
  • No-deposit bonuses: This promo type is considerably more rare, so we recommend taking advantage of such an offer whenever you see it. No-deposit bonuses award betting credits to your account without needing to provide funding. You won’t see these in particularly large amounts, but they are still a nice way to play without needing to use real money.
  • Loyalty perks: Some online casinos will run loyalty programs that award prizes for continuing to wager through their website and mobile app platforms. These prizes aren’t necessarily casino-specific and could include perks like betting credits, discounted fine dining experiences, free or discounted hotel stays, travel excursions, and more!

Benefits and drawbacks of KY online casino bonuses

Before deciding what casino bonus(es) you want to claim, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of the offer. Typically, the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks, but it’s up to you to decide what the best fit is. When they become available in KY, these are a few of the points you should consider.

Pros

  • Bonuses can be used on most games: While a few bonuses (like free spins) may limit the number of games you can use when claiming the offer, most promos will allow you to pick the game(s) where you want to play. For example, bet credits from a deposit match could be used when spinning the slots, playing roulette, or hitting the online blackjack tables.
  • Bonuses can be exclusive: Bonuses sometimes carry a promo code to ensure the offer can’t be claimed by everybody. This is especially true for bonuses that are accessed through the loyalty program.
  • Bonuses can enhance winnings or offset losses: Most bonuses will allow you to play at the casino without having to tap into your bankroll. When this is the case, you’re minimizing your losses by not using your own funds and capitalizing on wins by being able to keep the profits.

Cons

  • Bonuses typically don’t stack: Most of the time, the fine print of a bonus will say something like “This promotion may not be combined with any other offer.” This means you couldn’t pair bet credits from a deposit match with a free spin on a slot machine in many cases.
  • Bonuses expire if unused after a given time: It may not always be easy or feasible to use the bonus as soon as it lands in your account. While most offers include a reasonable window (such as 24 hours for a replay bonus or one week for gambling credits), you should still check the rules to ensure you’re actually able to use the offer before it expires.

Why shouldn’t I claim bonuses on offshore online casinos in Kentucky?

You shouldn’t claim bonuses on offshore online casinos in Kentucky because they are illegal and dangerous to use. Beyond being prohibited under state law, offshore online casinos do not have to abide by the same rules and regulations as their legitimate counterparts.

Because they don’t compete on a level playing field, games can have an excessive house advantage and not pay out at an appropriate rate. These offshore casinos also don’t need to maintain standards for consumer protection, which could put your personal information and financial records (including credit cards and bank account numbers) at risk.

If you claim a bonus and play at an offshore online casino, there’s no guarantee that you’ll actually receive your winnings, and you won’t have any legal standing to try to recoup those funds.

Once online real-money casinos are permitted in Kentucky, we’ll list all legal, licensed operators in the state on this site. If you don’t see it here, stay away!


FAQ

Why will Kentucky online casinos give bonuses?

Kentucky online casinos will give bonuses once they are legalized in the state as a means of encouraging new players to register at the site and to reward returning players for their continued use. You’ll be able to read about Kentucky online casino bonuses at KYBetting.com so you can take advantage of the best offers available.

Will Kentucky online casino bonuses be secure to use?

Yes, once online casinos are allowed to operate in Kentucky, the bonuses will be secure to use. Online casino operators will likely run under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission which currently oversees horse race betting and sports gambling in the state.

Which online casinos could offer the best bonuses in Kentucky?

Once online casinos are permitted to launch in Kentucky, many of the top operators will flock to the state to launch their platforms. We would expect Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, and Hard Rock to all be viable options with lucrative bonuses available to KY gamblers.

How could I claim a Kentucky online casino bonus code?

Once they are available, you could claim a Kentucky online casino bonus code by acquiring the code from a site like KYBetting.com. Then, log into your casino account (or create a new one if needed) and look for a “bonuses” or “promotions” tab on the homepage. You’ll be able to input the code and claim the offer from there.

Will there be special bonuses for mobile casino users in Kentucky?

Yes, there will be special bonuses for mobile casino users in Kentucky once online casinos launch in the state. Mobile-exclusive bonuses pop up from time to time, and KYBetting.com will list the offers on this site when such promotions can be claimed.

Will Kentucky online casinos offer loyalty or VIP bonuses?

Yes, it’s very likely that Kentucky online casinos will offer loyalty programs and VIP bonuses once the sites are permitted to operate. Online casinos need their players to enjoy the gambling experience, and these types of bonuses are an excellent way to reward players for their continued use of the betting sites.

Could I use multiple bonuses at the same online casino in Kentucky?

No, you most likely won’t be able to use multiple bonuses at the same online casino in Kentucky. Welcome bonuses are only available for one use when creating your account, and bonuses for returning players typically can’t be combined with any other offers.

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.