Kentucky has formally legalized sports betting in both retail and online settings, but state lawmakers haven’t made much progress on casino gambling legalization. On this page, we'll go through everything you need to know about Kentucky online gambling.
Popular Promo Hot & Trending Kentucky online gambling is regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) for the most part, and there is also a Kentucky Lottery with online games.
Although online casino gambling may still be some years away for KY bettors, we’re going to cover all the key information players in Kentucky should be aware of once online gambling officially opens in the state.
Besides horse racing and the Kentucky Lottery, sports betting is the only other form of online gambling legally permitted in Kentucky. Below is a list of Kentucky gambling sites that established their presence in the state in September 2023 together with other operators that will be launching soon:
| 🏈 DraftKings Kentucky | ⭐ Renowned gambling app with a variety of virtual table games |
| 🏈 bet365 Kentucky | ⭐ Titan with diverse payment methods and extensive betting options |
| 🏈 Caesars Kentucky | ⭐ Leading gambling site with promotions for notable horse racing events |
| 🏈 FanDuel Kentucky | ⭐ Offers cushioned welcome bonuses |
| 🏈 Fanatics Kentucky | ⭐ Newly licensed with customary wagers and merchandise promos |
| 🏈 BetMGM Kentucky | ⭐ Recognizable brand with generous welcome bonuses |
| 🏈 ESPN Bet Kentucky | ⭐ New gambling site with a promising future |
| 🏈 Circa Sports Kentucky | ⭐ Popular for high limits and favorable odds |
DraftKings has long been one of the go-to gambling apps for users in the United States. In states where DK’s online casino is live, they offer a pretty enticing welcome offer for new users. We expect this sign-up bonus to be available for KY players as well.
The DK online casino offers a bunch of virtual table games for their users to get in on. Blackjack, poker, slots, roulette, and craps are all available to play through DraftKings online casino.
Users must be 21 years old or older to participate.
bet365 is a prominent fixture in the realm of online gambling, and its sportsbook has launched to users in Kentucky. As a titan in the betting industry, bet365 offers an extensive array of online sports wagering options, with many different bet types and sports available on the betting menu.
With a generous welcome offer and a diverse selection of payment methods, bet365 is an obvious choice for gamblers in Kentucky.
bet365 is a formidable presence in the online gambling arena, demonstrated by its expansive reach and reputation. Offering a wealth of promotional offers and an extensive selection of betting possibilities, bet365 will stand as a very viable option for dedicated online gambling enthusiasts.
Caesars is one of the biggest gambling websites in the country, boasting a wide variety of betting options and a full-fledged sports betting platform.
They offer a plethora of promotions for new and existing users. The Caesars gambling site offers enticing promotional bonuses for the Kentucky Derby, along with other notable horse racing events in the state.
Like DraftKings, FanDuel Kentucky is a must-have for any online gambler. Their welcome bonus gives new players a nice cushion to work with as well.
FanDuel’s online casino gives new users a non-withdrawable casino bonus for their net losses in the first 24 hours of playing on the site up to $1,000. For example, if you end up losing $500 within your first 24 hours on the site, FanDuel will give you $500 in casino bonus credit to use in their online casino.
The FanDuel online casino has all of the standard casino games we’ve grown accustomed to, along with several other options to diversify your experience.
Users must be at least 18 years old to play FanDuel casino games.
BetMGM is one of the most recognizable gambling brands on the planet, its sportsbook launched in Kentucky in September 2023. They also offer one of the best welcome bonuses on the market.
After new users create a BetMGM account, they get Bet $5 Get $158 in Bonus Bets
BetMGM Kentucky requires all users to be at least 21 years old to participate.
ESPN Bet is a new gambling site that made its debut in the market in November 2023.
Following the termination of their partnership with Barstool Sportsbook in August 2023, PENN Entertainment and ESPN forged a 10-year agreement that could result in upwards of $2 billion for ESPN over that span. This deal rebranded Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet, granting ESPN Bet immediate market access in all 16 of the other states where Barstool Sportsbook was active.
Fanatics Kentucky has secured a sports gambling license in Kentucky and has gone live since the September 28, 2023 online sports betting launch in the state.
The gambling site provides the customary types of wagers expected from sports gambling industry giants, and they have been offering some sweet merchandise promos in other states.
Founded in 2019, Circa Sports has rapidly gained popularity among veteran bettors, with their high betting limits and favorable odds. Currently, this gambling site is operational in four states: Nevada, Colorado, Illinois, and Iowa. However, Circa Sports was granted licensing in Kentucky and is preparing for a launch to expand its U.S. coverage.
Circa adopts a straightforward approach with its gambling site, catering to bettors who prioritize simplicity and the pursuit of winnings. They do not push pre-packaged low-probability bets, allowing users the freedom to wager as they see fit, potentially leading to substantial cash winnings.
There are only a few online gambling options available for residents in the Bluegrass State. Your typical online table games like poker, blackjack, or roulette are not accessible for KY players. Besides online sports betting, betting on horse races and the KY Lottery are great ways to scratch that gambling itch. Here’s a quick overview of both.
The registration process for most online gambling sites is pretty straightforward. It typically takes less than five minutes to get your online gambling account created.
While the step-by-step process will vary from site to site, the overall process is pretty similar.
Currently, the only forms of online gambling available to KY players are sports betting, horse racing betting, and the Kentucky lottery. As for the other standard online gambling games, they’re still illegal in KY at the time of writing.
Once online casino gambling is officially legalized in KY, these are the types of games residents should be able to get their hands on.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission oversees all sports betting operations in KY, so it is logical to assume that the KHRC will also regulate online casino gambling in Kentucky if and when it becomes legal.
Going from a physical setting for gambling to an online setting can be a bit jarring at first, but once you settle in, it’ll feel like you’re right back at your local casino. Nevertheless, there are a few things to keep in mind when transitioning to an online gambling site.
Here’s a few things to consider before trying an online gambling site in KY.
Speaking of bonuses, online gambling sites typically offer a wide variety of bonuses for their users to get in on. Once online gambling is fully legalized in KY, we expect most, if not all, of these bonuses to be available for users.
Typically, online gambling operators offer a wide variety of banking options for their players to deposit and withdraw funds. However, these payment methods aren’t universal. There will certainly be some overlap between online casinos, but they usually vary a bit.
Here are some of the most common payment options that we expect to be available to KY users.
Although the games being played are the same, the experience between online gambling and in-person gambling can vary drastically. And of course, there are pros and cons to gambling online as opposed to in-person.
Here are a few.
At the time of writing, there is no concrete date in place for online gambling to launch in Kentucky outside of sports betting. Online sports betting sites launched in Kentucky on September 28, 2023.
It’s unclear which gambling operators will come to KY once they’re permitted to do so. Some of the more popular online operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM will likely attempt to get casino licensing in the state as soon as possible. These three already launched their online sportsbooks in KY, with DraftKings and FanDuel also launching horse racing books.
With the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Kentucky Lottery regulating gambling websites in the state, they should be safe and secure for any KY players.
Yes, we’re expecting every online gambling site that gains licensing in KY to offer bonuses to their users.
Currently, users cannot play online slots in KY.
Fact checked by: Gary Garry
