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The best Kentucky sports betting sites in December 2024

Written by: Declan Willis

Fact checked by: Martin Pramatarov

Map of USA, where state of Kentucky is pinned.

Are you looking for the best Kentucky sports betting sites? You hit the jackpot! Our experts have browsed the web and checked all the available KY sportsbooks. After detailed research, we organized a chart with the best of them, based on their sports betting apps, additional features, bonus bets, bet boosts, and a variety of betting markets. Let’s explore them together!

Best sportsbooks KYLegal bettingImportant lawsLegal ageOur criteriaPopular sports in KYFAQ

The best Kentucky sportsbooks

Verified by: Declan Willis Author at GameZinger.com
Last updated: 17.12.2024
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Kentucky betting sites are already legal! Kentucky joined the ranks of legal sports betting states relatively recently. On March 31, 2023, thanks to House Bill 551, Kentucky allowed online and retail sports betting.

As you know, sports betting was legal in many other states before that day, so many big sportsbooks were interested.

You can already find BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, Bet365, Circa Sports, and ESPN BET.

The best KY betting sites offer excellent sports betting apps for iOS and Android. You can find plenty of betting markets, bonus boosts, bonus bets, live betting, and even live-streaming of many sports events.

Check out the top online sportsbooks and find out which is the best for you!

By the way, if you are wondering what the legal sports betting age in Kentucky is, scroll down and you will find the answer.

Is sports betting legal in Kentucky? Yes! Many forms of sports betting are legal in Kentucky. Today, Kentucky sports betting includes retail betting, online sports betting, horse racing betting, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), and eSports.

Legal sports betting arrived on March 31, 2023. Very recently, compared with other states like Delaware, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

  • Retail sportsbook betting – legal

    Kentucky sports betting legislation allowed different types of sports betting on March 31, 2023, and retail sports betting was one of them. The first retail sportsbook opened on September 7, 2023. Its name is Churchill Downs. It is the one that hosts the Kentucky Derby.

Retail sports betting locations
Verified by:Declan WillisAuthor at Gamezinger.com
Last updated: 28.09.2024
SportsbookLocationOwnerLaunch dateInternet betting
Louisville, KYChurchill Downs IncorporatedSeptember 2023Yes
Florence, KYChurchill Downs IncorporatedSeptember 2023Yes
Lexington, KYRed Mile Gaming & RacingSeptember 2023Yes
Louisville, KYChurchill Downs IncorporatedSeptember 2023Yes
Henderson, KYEllis Entertainment, LLCSeptember 2023Yes
Oak Grove, KYChurchill Downs IncorporatedSeptember 2023Yes
Newport, KYChurchill Downs IncorporatedSeptember 2023Yes
Load More

  • Kentucky online sports betting – legal

    KY online sports betting was legalized on the same day as retail sports betting. Currently, there are eight sites and apps have online sports betting licenses. You will find the biggest names in the USA and a few smaller ones, like Circa Sports and Fanatics Sportsbook. It didn’t take extra time to legalize sports betting on mobile. It happened on the same date. Now, the same mobile sports betting operators are the same as those, offering betting through the browser.

  • Daily fantasy sports (DFS) – legal

    Kentucky online betting is legal, but Daily Fantasy Sports is not mentioned in the legislation. That means it is not illegal, and it was enough for the best betting sites in Kentucky to introduce it. Now, you can bet on Daily Fantasy Sports at DraftKings and FanDuel sites.

  • eSports – legal

    There is no special bill to legalize sports betting on eSports, but again, nothing specifically prohibits it. The best Kentucky sportsbooks offer eSports betting. You can find different games to bet on at these legal Kentucky betting sites: BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, Bet365, and BetRivers. Not many states allow eSports betting, so bettors in Kentucky are very privileged.

  • Horse betting – legal

    Kentucky sports betting includes betting on horse races, so yes, you can bet on the famous Kentucky Derby. The body that regulates the market is the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission oversees the races, licenses sportsbooks, deals with disputes, and more.

    The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has provided retail sports betting licenses.

    for horse races to Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and Kentucky Downs. You can use TwinSpires, TVG, BetAmerica, Xpressbet, and NYRA Bets if you prefer online horse betting.

  • Greyhound betting – illegal

    It is not legal to bet on greyhound races in Kentucky. The Kentucky sports betting bill did not include it, and there is no tradition for such betting in this state.

KY sports betting history

It took quite a while until Kentucky fully legalized sports betting. The main problem in front of it was the well-known Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Let’s see how Kentucky managed to create a sports betting environment after PASPA and what is now legal.

Inaugural Kentucky Derby, 1875

Imagine it is May 17, 1875, and you are down at Churchill Downs. It is the first Kentucky Derby. Everybody is excited and ready to watch an amazing race between the greatest horses in the state. You legally put your bet and let the race begin!

Pari-Mutuel Betting Legalization, 1920s

In the 1920s, Kentucky legalized pari-mutuel betting. The system unites all the bets on a race, and the total amount determines the payouts. At this time, pari-mutuel betting became the standard for retail betting on races.

The creation of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, 1931

Betting on horses was already legal in Kentucky, but no clear regulator existed. The state created the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) to regulate and supervise the industry.

Legalization of Daily Fantasy Sports, 2017

March 25, 2017, was the day when Governor Matt Bevin signed Bill 427, which allowed DFS in Kentucky. Later, platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings started operations in the state.

Supreme Court Decision on PASPA, 2018

The US court finally struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) on May 14, 2018. This action finally opened the door to legal sports betting apps, online wagering sites, retail sportsbooks, and more. But the process was not automatic. It took many more years before you could legally play at any of the Kentucky sports betting sites.

Legalization of sports betting in KY, 2023

Bill 551, signed by Andy Beshear on March 31, 2023, by the state’s governor, allowed sports betting in Kentucky. This bill allowed you, as a bettor, to make a sports bet online or offline. It took some time until the first KY betting sites started to accept online wagering. Now, after more than a year, there are eight online sportsbooks. You can check the best KY online sportsbooks at the beginning of this page.

The most important KY sports betting regulations

  • 1920s: Legalization of pari-mutuel betting.
  • 1931: Establishment of the KHRC.
  • 1988: Creation of the Kentucky Lottery by the Kentucky General Assembly.
  • 2017: Legalization of Daily Fantasy Sports.
  • May 14, 2018: U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. NCAA, striking down PASPA and allowing states to legalize sports betting.
  • March 31, 2023: Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 into law, legalizing in-person and online sports betting in Kentucky. This gave the opportunity to the Kentucky betting sites to develop.

Let’s check the legal betting age in KY. Betting legal in Kentucky is allowed if you are of the right age. Kentucky bettors can bet on horse races as soon as they are 18. This applies online and at retail establishments.

The legal betting age for sports betting is a bit different. You need to be at least 21 to bet on sports, DFS online, and eSports.

Legal sports betting age

Betting typeLegal age at land-based establishmentLegal age onlineLegal since
Sportsbooks21212023
Fantasy sports18212017
Horse race betting18211920s
eSports21212023

More about the best Kentucky sports betting sites

There are 8 KY betting sites currently. It is a decent number. There are not as many as in some others, like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, but they are still good.

Thinking about the Kentucky online betting pool, we concluded that these are the best of them:

BetMGM sportsbook

Kentucky online sports betting is in its infancy, but the big names are already on the market. BetMGM’s online sports betting site arrived as soon as the legal sports betting was announced. The sportsbook started its activity on September 28, 2023.

In other states, BetMGM owns retail sportsbooks and retail casinos, but it only offers online services for the moment. You can use the BetMGM site on your computer or mobile device. There is also a mobile app for iOS and another one for Android. We tested both, and we were pleased by the result. The apps are great, and the interface is very easy to learn. You can manage your sportsbook account, place bets, and access different promotions.

What we liked about BetMGM Sportsbook is the variety of betting markets. You will find basketball, football, soccer, hockey, and many more sports. It was nice to see that there are college sports, too.

BetMGM is known for its reward program. It offers a VIP program that allows you to earn points that later you can redeem for various perks at MGM establishments in the country.

When you start using this sportsbook, you can get a one-time guarantee on your first bet. In case you lose, you will get back the same amount as bonus money. Other ongoing promotions include bonus boosts and bonuses for specific sports events.

Overall, we recommend BetMGM because it offers a comprehensive and enjoyable experience. The broad range of sports that you can bet on and the user-friendliness it offers are good reasons to give it a try. By the way BetMGM Casino is also great. Check it out if you are in another state.

Circa Sports Sportsbook

Kentucky online sportsbooks were eager to start, and on September 28, 2023, many launched their services. Circa Sports was one of them and quickly became one of the best Kentucky sportsbooks.

Although Circa Sports still doesn’t offer any retail establishment for sports betting, you can access an exceptional site and mobile app.

The site is well-designed, and we loved how clean the interface felt. Everything was where you could expect it to be, which made navigation a breeze.

The same exceptional experience translates into the mobile application. We tested it on Android and iOS and tried placing various bets. Everything worked flawlessly.

Talking about the betting markets, you will find all of the popular sports like football, hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball, and more. In comparison with most of the competition, the important difference is that Circa Sports offers high betting limits. High-rollers love it!

Since the site is a bit smaller than some of the nation-level sportsbooks, it is known for its competitive odds that attract many sports bettors.

Circa offers some promotions, and you can expect to find parlay boosts, event-specific bonuses, and risk-free bets.

You should generally check Circa Sports in Kentucky because of the competitive odds, high betting limits, and good user experience.

FanDuel sports betting

FanDuel is among the best betting sites not only in Kentucky but also in the whole of America. It also launched its activity in Kentucky on the famous September 28, 2023, following the state’s legalization of sports betting.

This sportsbook does not own any retail sportsbook in the state.

Just like the previous two, it offers a website that you can access both from a mobile device and a computer and a mobile application.

The website is excellent. We used it on a laptop and a tablet, and it worked great. Even using customer support was good.

Using the mobile app, you won’t be disappointed. It has all the features of the website and adds more ergonomics when you are using it on a mobile phone.

What is great about FanDuel is that it not only offers a variety of betting markets but also DFS. DFS is not that common in the state, and only FanDuel and DraftKings offer it.

Another great feature that FanDuel offers is a great live betting experience. You can bet live, just as you are watching the game. There are various in-game betting options that make it really convenient and fun.

FanDuel is one of the few sportsbooks in KY that offers a welcome bonus. The bonus money can give you an additional stimulus to create an account. There are also different ongoing promotions, so in general, this sportsbook treats its bettors well.

So, should you consider it? Definitely! We often mention competitive odds, but to be sure that they are competitive, you can create accounts on multiple platforms and check them yourself. You can bet on the one that gives you the best odds for the game you want to bet on.

How do you choose the best KY betting sites?

The process of reviewing the 8 KY sports betting portals was thorough. We checked all the sites and compared many parameters. Here are some of them so you can make your own decision.

Best overall sports betting platformBetMGM
The most generous bonusesBorgata
Excellent betting optionsFanatics Sportsbook
Top betting oddsbet365
Great mobile betting experienceBorgata
Online sportsbook with high-securityBetMGM
Great payment methodsDraftKings
Excellent choice for withdrawal speedbet365
High-class customer serviceFanatics Sportsbook
Best browser and app user interfaceDraftKings

Reviewing the availability of sports betting markets

Kentucky sports betting offers a decent amount of sports betting markets. As a bettor, this means you have enough options to bet on different sports and their outcomes. The more you have, the better the experience is.

Bonuses

In contrast to the online casinos, Kentucky sports gambling portals don’t provide as many options. Yes, some offer welcome bonuses, which gives them an advantage. Apart from this promotion, you can expect bonus boosts for different sports events or special odds. We evaluate the quantity and the quality of these promotions.

Betting odds

In general, KY sports betting sites offer good betting odds. Thanks to the competition in the state (there are eight portals now), none of the portals can afford to offer unattractive odds. Yet, some sites really exceed in providing competitive odds. These sites rank better in our charts.

Sports betting app

Sports betting in Kentucky has some big players. Names like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars. These are all excellent sportsbooks with great betting apps. We have tested all of them on iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android (both economic devices and flagship smartphones). We looked for features, ease of use, design, and more. It is getting harder to find which is the best app, because all of them have improved dramatically in the last years, but we evaluate each parameter and put an objective mark.

Good selection of banking options

On the online Kentucky sports betting apps and sites, you will find most of the popular banking options. Yet, the results are not the same. We always recommend that you check the review of each sportsbook before you choose one. Check if it supports the payment methods that you prefer. Not all of them support Skrill, PayPal, or Neteller. The more options a site has and the more different options it has (wallets, traditional banking methods, crypto, etc.), the better it is for the bettors.

Security

Kentucky bettors like you should be able to enjoy some betting without digital risks. We evaluate the security aspect of the betting apps and sites. Check their TLS certificates and determine what additional measures they are taking. Millions of people will put their personal data and banking data, so these platforms should always use top-notch security measures.

Customer support

What do you do when you have a problem? You are searching for help. The help on the Internet is represented by the customer support of each of the companies. In the case of sportsbooks, their customer support must know about different betting options and problems with banking methods, explain promotions, and help people navigate their apps and sites. We test them by creating realistic scenarios and checking how fast they respond and how accurate they are. Inside our review, you can find details about their support, support channels, and the quality of the service.

Live betting

Kentucky sports betting apps offer live betting. This means that you can enjoy your favorite game on the TV and, at the same time, bet on it live. The results will refresh constantly, and the odds will change as the game advances. It is quite exciting. Some sites offer many options for live betting and many sports events that involve live betting. Others are a bit behind. Some even offer live streaming, which allows you to watch the game on your device directly. We evaluate these platforms and give more points to those that perform better.

Top 3 most popular sports to bet on in Kentucky

Do you know which are the most popular sports in KY? We are sure that you are already guessing. Yes, people here love horses, but apart from going to the horse track, what else do bettors love here? Let’s see.

Betting on horse racing in Kentucky

Of course, people here love to bet on horses. You know the Kentucky Derby and how popular it is. This state has more than 100 years of history with betting on horse competitions. You can try plenty of betting types like Win, Place, Exacta, Show, Superfecta, Trifecta, and more. Betting at the racetrack and online are accessible.

Betting on football in Kentucky

The whole country loves football and bets on it. Kentucky is not an exception. Inside this state, you can bet on both professional and college football. The University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals have strong fan bases, and of course, the NFL games gather a strong interest. You can experiment with many betting options like Moneyline, Point Spread, Over/Under (Totals), Prop Bets, Parlays, and Futures.

Betting on basketball in Kentucky

Here in Kentucky, there are many basketball fans. College basketball is quite popular. Some of the teams that you should check are those of the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Louisville Cardinals. The betting types you can use on the Kentucky Sportsbook apps are Moneyline, Point Spread, Over/Under (Totals), Prop Bets, Parlays, and Futures.

Popular Kentucky sports events you can bet on

  • Kentucky Derby. Of course, we can’t miss the famous Kentucky Derby that happens each first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. There, you can see the fastest horses compete in a glorious race. The race is also known as “The Run for the Roses,” which sounds extremely romantic.
  • NCAA Basketball Tournament (March Madness). NCAA is a college basketball tournament in which you can see some of the Kentucky sports teams, like the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Louisville Cardinals.
  • College football (SEC and ACC Games). In Kentucky, you can enjoy betting on college football too. In the state, there are many fans of the University of Kentucky Wildcats (SEC) and the University of Louisville Cardinals (ACC). These Kentucky sports teams perform quite well, and it is a really great game when they face each other. You can see them in the “Governor’s Cup”.
  • NFL Super Bowl. In the States, everybody is watching and betting on the Super Bowl. It is one of the biggest sports events in the world. Watch it, have fun, and share this incredible sports event with your friends.
  • Breeders’ Cup. This is an annual Grade I Thoroughbred horse race and is hosted in different locations, but Churchill Downs track in Kentucky is often the host.
  • NBA Finals. Since there are many Kentucky bettors who love basketball, the NBA finals are one of the top events. The games are quite exciting, and you can use a lot of different betting options like Moneyline, Point Spread, Over/Under (Totals), Prop Bets, Futures, and Parlays.

Most important sports teams from Kentucky

University of Kentucky Wildcats logo

University of Kentucky Wildcats (Men’s Basketball)

The Wildcats team was founded in 1903, and it is based in Lexington, Kentucky. It is a very good basketball team that has won one or two NCAA Championships, but 8 in total. In 1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, and 2012! The number is quite impressive. Yes, recently, the Wildcats haven’t had the trophy in their hands, but they sure know how to play. They have the most all-time wins in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history. The Wildcats were the first to reach the spectacular 2000 wins in NCAA on December 21, 2009.

If you want to see the University of Kentucky Wildcats, you can watch the NCAA tournament, where they participate regularly, and the SEC tournament because they are a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

If you ever have a chance to go to the game, you can see the Wildcat mascot of the team called Blue and listen to their “On, On, U of K” song.

University of Louisville Cardinals logo

University of Louisville Cardinals (Men’s Basketball)

Keeping the basketball topic, here in Kentucky, you can see another great college basketball team, the Cardinals. The team was founded in 1911 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The University of Louisville Cardinals is also a good team, and it has won 3 NCAA Championships in 1980, 1986, and 2013. The last was later vacated by the NCAA due to some violations.

If you want to see the Cardinals playing, you can catch them during the regular NCAA Men’s Division I or Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

When you go to the basketball field, you will be welcomed by Louie the Cardinal, the team’s bird mascot. You will also listen to their fight song “Fight! U of L”.

The Cardinals are well-known for their rivalry with the University of Kentucky Wildcats. You can watch them “fight” the annual derby called “Battle for the Bluegrass.”

Racing Louisville FC logo

Racing Louisville FC (National Women’s Soccer League)

OK, hear us out. Although the Racing Louisville FC women’s team is relatively new, it was founded in 2019, and it has a lot of potential.

In 2021, Racing Louisville FC won the Women’s Cup (an international club competition hosted by Louisville), so they sure have some skills.

If you want to see them play, you can check the Women’s Cup, where you can see some international clubs, and NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League).

True to the state traditions, their mascot is a horse, and its name is Racey. So far, there is no team’s song, but with time, the fans will figure it out.

The team is still developing, and thanks to their state-of-the-art training facility, the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center, they have great potential.

What other types of gambling are legal in Kentucky?

Kentucky is still not a popular gambling destination. The main types of gambling, like retail gambling and online gambling, are still missing from the mix. Let’s see what you can still play if you are living in Kentucky.

Sweepstakes Casinos Kentucky – legal

If you are into casino games and you still want to play even without real money, you can choose a sweepstakes casino. There, you can find games like bingo, slot games, poker, and other table games. You can play using a token system and enjoy high-quality games. These games won’t make you a millionaire, but you can still have a very pleasant time.

Land-based casinos Kentucky – not legal

Sadly, the government of Kentucky has not legalized retail gambling yet. Fans of table games in this state can only play at sweepstakes casinos without real money. Maybe in the future, this state can make some changes, but for now, there is no news going in this direction.

Online Gambling Kentucky – not legal

Just like retail gambling, online casinos are not legal in Kentucky. There is no plan to legalize them soon. We will keep you updated about the topic, and if there are changes, we will add them here.

Poker – not legal

Both retail poker and online poker are not legal yet. You can only participate in a sweepstake casino poker and play with tokens.

Lottery – legal

You can legally participate in the Kentucky state lottery. Choose a lottery ticket, play keno or a scratch-off card. The state has created the Kentucky Lottery Corporation to overwatch the lottery.

KY online sports betting, the conclusion

Kentucky sports bettors can enjoy a relatively good yet still small sports betting industry. The state legalized sports betting in 2023, so there are not many sportsbooks yet. There are eight sportsbooks now: BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, Bet365, Circa Sports, and ESPN BET Sportsbook. As you can see, there are big names here, but it could still be even better if other competitors enter the market.

Horse racing is extremely popular in this state. You can legally bet at nine horse racing tracks in the state and also online. Sports bettors can also bet on horse racing online at TwinSpires, TVG, BetAmerica, Xpressbet, and NYRA Bets.

Overall, sports bettors in KY can enjoy a good sports betting environment.

Declan WillisAuthor at Gamezinger.com

Kentucky sports betting FAQ

Who supervises the sports betting websites in Kentucky?

Kentucky sportsbooks fall under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC). The KHRC oversees all sports betting activities, offers consumer protection measures, promotes responsible gambling, and establishes rules and regulations.

Can you bet on college sports in Kentucky?

Yes, you can! College sports betting is legal. The most popular college teams are the Cardinals and Wildcats. You can see them in the NCAA.

Are there any legal online sports betting sites in Kentucky?

Yes. There are 8 sportsbooks in this state: BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, Bet365, Circa Sports, and ESPN BET Sportsbook.

Which Kentucky sportsbook do you recommend?

All the sites that are on our list deserve to be recommended. Those that are at the top levels have shown more overall. They have proven they offer competitive odds, a high level of security, a variety of banking options, and more. Each site that fails our test gets publicly shamed, and we won’t recommend it until it improves to a satisfying level.

Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?

Yes, sports betting, including horse racing betting, DFS, and eSports betting, is legal. You can find 8 KY sports betting sites. All of them are great and offer various promotions.