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The country’s leading online sportsbooks have launched in Kentucky. The biggest operators are competing with one another to offer the most lavish Kentucky sportsbook promos.
These are the best five sign-up offers:
These are the best Kentucky betting sites.
There will probably be some smaller operators eventually, but those online Kentucky sports betting sites are the ones that have dominated the market since launch, and each offer sportsbook promo codes for new customers who sign up.
The BetMGM Kentucky bonus code ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵTODAY will earn new customers a first-bet offer up to $1,500 that pays you back in bonus bets if your first loses. The ESPN BET Kentucky promo code TODAY gives new customers a $1,000 First Bet Reset on a losing initial wager of $10 or more.
The Caesars ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵbook Kentucky promo code ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵTODAY1000 will provide bettors with a refund as a bonus bet up to $1,000 if their initial wager loses, while FanDuel, DraftKings and bet365 all have generous "bet and get" welcome bonuses.
Operators will also allow Kentuckians to wager on hundreds of markets, including bets on MLB Futures and to make prop bets on other pro leagues.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Kentucky. Kentucky sports betting launched on Sept. 7, 2023, at retail locations and Sept. 28 online. Kentucky legalized sports betting when Gov. Andy Beshear signed HB 551 into law on March 31, 2023. The full list of approved sports betting operators to receive KY online sports betting licenses was announced on August 22: bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel and Penn ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ Interactive, which is ESPN BET.
This Kentucky sports betting guide explains everything you need to know now that the first Kentucky sports betting apps up and running.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has been handed oversight of retail sportsbooks, mobile apps and sports betting sites. Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer has stated that the commission was working hard to ensure that legal sports betting gets underway during the football season this fall. Regulators set Sept. 7 as a launch date for sports betting at retail sportsbooks and the morning of Sept. 28 for betting apps and online wagering - and Kentucky sports betting is now live at in-person retail sites and online.
Regulators at the KHRC initially set Dec. 28 to promulgate the official regulations for sports betting in Kentucky but worked on a far more aggressive timeline for retail and online sports betting in Kentucky. As explained in our Kentucky sports betting FAQ, the launch date was Sept. 7. Retail sportsbooks at horse racing tracks opened first, followed three weeks later by online sportsbooks and sports betting apps, which launched on Sept. 28, 2023.
Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill legalizing sports betting in Kentucky on March 31, 2023. (Photo by Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ NETWORK)
Lawmakers spent several years attempting to introduce a legal Kentucky sports betting industry before finally achieving success in 2023. These are the bills that sought to make Kentucky sports betting legal:
This section will explain who can bet on sports in Kentucky legally. These are the key points to note:
You will need to be 18 or older to take part in Kentucky legal sports betting, but most operators will require you to be 21 as most states have imposed a minimum age of 21 for sports betting. You will be asked for ID if you visit a retail sportsbook and you will need to provide a range of details to prove your age when signing up with an online Kentucky sports betting site or mobile app.
The Kentucky sports betting law permits all nine of the state’s horse racing tracks and satellite facilities to launch retail sportsbooks, along with Kentucky Speedway. Each of these land-based operators can host three online skins on their master licenses, meaning there could be as many as 30 sports betting apps and websites.
However, we are more likely to see between 10 and 20 sports betting apps, as is the case in neighboring states such as Indiana, Tennessee and Ohio.
You don't need to visit a retail sportsbook to sign up for online sport betting in Kentucky. Some states, including Illinois, have previously used an in-person registration system, but it makes signing up with online sportsbooks difficult. In Kentucky, you can easily register online with any legal sportsbooks that appeal to you.
You are liable to pay taxes on your winnings if you generate an overall profit from gambling activities over the course of a calendar year. If you fill in Form W-9 when signing up with an online sportsbook in Kentucky, it will not need to impose a withholding tax when you win more than $600, allowing you to settle up your tax bill at the end of the year with the IRS. Keep a record of all wins and losses, as you will only need to pay if you end the year in the black.
The state’s horse racing tracks – Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park and Turfway – and their four satellite facilities will be permitted to open retail sportsbooks. Kentucky Speedway can build one, too. You will typically enjoy an exciting experience when you bet in-person at a retail lounge, but it is quicker, more convenient and more cost-effective to use the best Kentucky online sports betting sites and mobile apps.
You will need to be within Kentucky state borders to place bets at online sportsbooks. If you are using a computer, you will need to install a GeoComply plugin. The software is already built into iPhones and Android devices, so simply turn location settings on when using a sports betting app.
Kentucky has officially legalized all forms of professional sports betting and college sports betting. Some states restrict betting on in-state college teams or college props, but that will not be the case in Kentucky. You will be able to bet on more than 20 sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, NASCAR, golf, UFC and various others.
It is legal for Kentucky bettors to wager on horse races such as the Kentucky Derby. ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ betting sites and mobile apps will not offer betting on horse races, as you will need to use a separate online racebook such as TwinSpires or FanDuel Racing for that. They are already live and legal in Kentucky. If you want to bet on sports betting, Kentucky Derby markets and DFS contests with one company, FanDuel will be a great option.
DFS operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel accept customers in Kentucky. There are no formal laws that officially permit DFS contests, but they have operated in the Bluegrass State for many years, and lawmakers have never tried to prevent them from doing so.
Bettors will be able to wager on college hoops and their favorite sports. (Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel/ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ)
The best Kentucky online sports betting sites will offer large, helpful responsible gambling sections. They will provide information about how to play in a responsible fashion, how to spot the potential signs of a gambling problem and myths associated with gambling. You will also find links to helpful organizations, such as the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling.
You will also be able to use tools designed to limit your play, including time limits, bet limits, deposit limits, cooling off periods and self-exclusion. It is important to only use safe, regulated sportsbooks that gain licenses from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. They will be legally compelled to take responsible gambling seriously and protect their players, and you will be assured of a secure online betting experience and guaranteed payouts when you win.
Kentucky has an exciting, diverse online sports betting industry featuring a wide range of brands. They compete for new customers, so you will be offered generous Kentucky sports betting bonuses and attractive odds as an incentive to sign up. Just stick to legal, regulated online sportsbooks, and use the links provided on this page to claim the best available welcome bonus at each KY online sports betting site.
Up to $1,000 on Caesars, If Your First Bet Loses
Exclusive Live Streaming on Select NFL Games
Strong VIP Rewards Including Bonus Bets
Tier Credits Earned For Every Bet Placed
Bet And Get Up To $1,000 In Bonus Bets
Fanatics ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵbook Simplifies Your Betting Experience
FanCash Feature Delivers Increased Value With Unique Rewards
Industry-Leading Search Functionality Available
First Bet Safety Net up to $1000
Award winning sports app
Mobile live streaming
Over 10 million customers worldwide
Bet $5, Get $250 In Bonus Bets + 1 month NFL+ Premium Subscription
Daily Pool Contests for any Team
Weekly Profit Boosts on Multiple ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ
Flawless Kentucky Mobile Apps
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators and sports betting partners for audience referrals. The ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ Network newsroom and editorial staff maintains direction on this content, which is created by partner staff. ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ betting operators have no influence over our news coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to gamble. ÎÛÓ£ÌÒÊÓƵ betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.