Five things you need to know about the Kentucky sports betting
While this is a seismic change for mobile sports betting in Kentucky, the practicalities of what’s included in the legislation (the KY Sports Betting Bill which was signed in March 2023) is actually pretty simple. Wrap your head around the following key five points and you’ll know most of what you need to know about sports gambling in Kentucky.
1. The launch day
There appears to be a little bit of confusion regarding launch day – we think because offline sports betting actually legally launched in the state on September 7th. Online KY sports betting becomes available on September 28th and includes just about any sport you can think of, both pre-game and live, available online on desktop and mobile devices. It doesn’t include any additional legislation on casino betting.
You’ll know whether the operator you’re looking at has the relevant credentials should they have a licence by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
2. Geographical restrictions
As you probably already have guessed, legislation for sports betting in KY only provides access to betting sites in Kentucky. Now, this doesn’t require registration but merely requires you to be within state lines when placing your bet. This also means that outside state lines, you may not be legally covered.
3. Minimum age
According to the state legislation, the minimum age a person can be when placing a sports bet in Kentucky is 18. This is lower than most states, which set that minimum at 21.
However, it’s important to note that many of the top KY online betting sites set their own minimum above 18. In fact, we’ve seen the likes of BetMGM and Caesars already explicitly express that intention. In other words, although the Kentucky gambling age is 18, you’ll need to check the terms and conditions if you’re below the age of 21 to see if they’re available to you.
Only the following have confirmed they'll only accept those over the age of 21 right now, but more are expected following launch:
| Operator | Have confirmed 21 minimum age |
| BetMGM | ✓ |
| FanDuel | ✓ |
| Caesars | ✓ |
| Fanatics | X |
| DraftKings | X |
| Bet365 | X |
4. The horse racing caveat
The legislation for KY sports gambling is largely very simple. However, there’s one unusual caveat which is that horse racing actually requires a separate, dedicated sportsbook. This isn’t too much of a problem – the likes of FanDuel actually double up as a racebook – but it’s something to check before you sign up with whatever you hope will be the best KY online betting site for you.
5. The licensing line-up
The way licensing works in Kentucky is interesting. Essentially, you have nine horse racing tracks and the Kentucky speedway. Each of these institutions is given up to three licences, meaning there’s the potential for 30 overall. Even better – and as you’ll see from our list of recommendations below – is that many of the names which have already successfully crafted partnerships put KY betting in the best possible position for a successful future.
Five of the finest online sports betting Kentucky operators to consider
Kentucky has the potential to be among the finest locations in the world to bet online, even with just 30 licences and at such an early stage. Why? Because many of the names they already have signed up to provide their services are among the finest in the industry. The following are six of our favorites and our picks for top KY online betting sites .
Bet365: An international master
Everywhere in the world they provide betting services, Bet365 are up there with the best betting sites available. With an unmatched selection of sports betting markets, all backed up by world-class design that is tried and tested, we don’t see why it would be any different when sports betting in KY. If you want confidence in your pick, you can’t get better credentials than this.
Bet365 Highlights
- Extensive Selection of Markets
- Highly Competitive Odds
- High-Standard Mobile App
- Wide Range of Live Betting Options
Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars: European fundamentals, American showmanship
Have you heard of William Hill? They’re known as one of the best sportsbooks in Europe and have steadily been making a name for themselves as a top-tier American operator. They’re now acquired by Caesars, meaning that when you’re mobile sports betting in Kentucky under the Caesars name, you’re benefiting from their American reach with William Hill’s many achievements in the industry. It’s the best of both worlds.
Bet365 Highlights
- Extensive Selection of Markets
- Highly Competitive Odds
- High-Standard Mobile App
- Wide Range of Live Betting Options
Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
DraftKings: A little bit of everything
If you’re someone for whom the best thing about online gambling Kentucky is the rich tapestry of possibilities it represents, then Draftkings could very well be your ideal match. This future Kentucky sports betting juggernaut, of course, gets much of their reputation for fantasy betting – and it has earned its accolades there. But now, they’re also a fantastic traditional sportsbook which is both generous and creative in its markets.
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DraftKings Sport Highlights
- Massive sports bonus
- Competitive betting odds
- Good live betting platform
BetMGM: Where online sports betting Kentucky is no afterthought
This is an operator that gets the fundamentals right and then goes the extra mile. You can expect great markets from BetMGM, a broad selection of generous odds, reliable payment methods, and fair customer service. But in addition, the version of the site you’re using will be tailor-made for your location, which means that you can rest assured that everything on offer is both available and well suited for your KY sports betting needs.
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
BetMGM Sportsbook Highlights
- Excellent range of sports markets
- Plenty of betting options
- Impressive odds
FanDuel: Fantastically user-friendly
It’s remarkable that FanDuel is able to offer so much while maintaining the broad appeal which makes them one of our picks for top Kentucky betting sites. And make no mistake, what’s likely to be available should be vast. We’re talking about an immense sportsbook (including horse racing options) and a fantasy betting selection as epic as their reputation. And all that is alongside a great, even educational design and betting options. They’re a choice pick for KY betting newcomers.
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FanDuel Sport Highlights
- Coverage for 16+ sports
- User-friendly site
- Competitive odds
Fanatics: Immense progress in a short space of time
It’s honestly hard to really believe that Fanatics have only been around since 2021. In a couple of years, their two brand approach with Pointsbet have made them one of the biggest names in the world, with a reputation for ease of use, transparency, and generous odds. We see no reason they can’t also provide one of the best KY online betting sites – and even more exciting is that they have so much potential to grow.
How to sign up to the top KY betting sites
For many people, online sports betting Kentucky will provide their first opportunity ever to sign up to an online betting site. And since the KY sports betting sign up process will all be new to them, we’ve decided to provide a step-by-step guide on what to expect.
Do note that each betting site will have their own forms and variations, but that they also have more in common than differences. So, whatever you choose as your top Kentucky betting sites, this should provide a good idea of what to expect.
Before you sign up, you’ll first need to choose a mobile sports betting in Kentucky operator which best suits you. The way to go about this is to first consider what it is you’re looking for and then to check out our recommendations and see which best seems to fit. You can then check out the site yourself and investigate further, and move forward if all the signs are positive.
But before we get onto the actual sign up process, it’s important that you make sure you’re actually able to sign up in the first place. Check the site in question is a licensed Kentucky sports betting site at the bottom of the homepage (this will also clear up whether you’re on the right version of the site). And also ensure you meet their minimum age requirements before getting started.
Fill in all of the relevant forms
Typically from the top-right-hand corner of the homepage, you’ll be invited to ‘Sign up’ or ‘Register’. You’ll then be asked to provide some essential information. This will typically include your name, email address, home address, phone number, and date of birth. You’ll also be asked to read and accept their terms and conditions. At the end of the form, you should be asked to confirm your KY betting details.
Please note that if you’re looking to bet on a mobile app, you may first need to complete a download before filling in the registration form. The other details should largely be the same.
This may or may not have been part of the registration process. Many of the top KY online betting sites no longer require you to deposit money to sign up and instead allow you to deal with the banking details later, but it depends on the individual operator. Regardless, you should be asked to choose from a selection of payment methods and then fill in the relevant details. It’s typical of the best KY online betting sites to provide deposits instantly.
At this point, you should have everything you need to get started on your selected Kentucky sports betting site – an account and money to play with. The next step is simply to enjoy whatever that operator has to offer, pick a market, place your bets, and hope you're a winner.
Pros and cons of the online sports gambling Kentucky sign up process
Pros & Cons
- Lots of operators to choose from
- Easy registration
- Licensing is clear
- Technical hiccups possible at early stage
Conclusion: We’re very optimistic about sports gambling in Kentucky
Kentucky has a fantastic collection of sports betting operators already set to make their debut. The success that similar states have previously had has helped to lay the groundwork for this, and it also helps that the legislation is largely unrestrictive. In other words, we’d say that KY sports betting has all the ingredients needed to create a delectable gaming feast come launch time.
Our top selection of betting bonuses for Kentucky, USA
1.
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2.
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Players from Virginia accepted
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Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
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Kentucky sports betting FAQ
🏀Is it only sports betting that’s legally launching in Kentucky?
Yes, the KY Sports Betting Bill, as the name would suggest, only allows for the legal wagering on sports betting markets. This will become available online from September 28th on those sites and apps licensed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. It doesn’t allow for legal casino betting of any kind. Offline sportsbooks have already been legal since September 7th.
💻How many operators will be legally available in Kentucky?
There will be up to 30 operators available from 10 different sources. This is based on how the legislation dictates licences be provided. Three licences each are given out to nine horse racing tracks and the Kentucky speedway, making for a possible total of 30 at the time of writing. Do note that reaching the full number will likely take some time, so there won’t be the full amount available from the initial launch.
✅Are there any key restrictions from the KY sports betting bill?
Broadly speaking, the KY Sports Betting Bill, the legislation which will make online betting legal from September 28th,is very broad in what it allows. You can, for instance, bet on almost every sport from all across the world should the operator choose to provide it, both on home and mobile devices. However, horse racing requires odds to be provided from specifically legislated race books. Furthermore, you must be located within the state to use KY operators.
