Quick facts about online sports betting in the Bluegrass state
- Although the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned in 2018, Kentucky didn't get on board with sports betting until 2023.
- The sports betting scene in Kentucky is relatively fresh. So, do not expect to find too many sportsbooks compared to states where the activity has been running for much longer.
- FanDuel, Bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics, and Caesars are my top recommended brands for bettors in Kentucky.
A simple overview of how sports betting became legal in Kentucky
Is sports betting legal in Kentucky? Yes, it is, but the road to get there has been a little bumpy, to say the least. It took five years of bills and pushback before lawmakers finally got it done. House Bill 551 passed the Kentucky Senate on the last day of the 2023 legislative session with a 25-12 vote. Governor Andy Beshear wasted no time and signed it into law less than 24 hours later on March 31, 2023.
The law officially kicked in on June 28, 2023, giving regulators six months to get everything running. They beat that deadline by a mile. The first retail sportsbooks opened their doors on September 7, 2023, perfectly timed with the NFL season kickoff. Then, online betting went live on September 28, 2023.
Kentucky’s Horse Racing Commission oversees the whole operation for both retail locations and online platforms. Basically, the state handed out sports betting licenses to all nine of the state's horse racing tracks. Each track can partner with up to three online sportsbooks, meaning we could see as many as 27 different betting apps operating in Kentucky down the road. I've watched them handle the rollout, and they've been pretty solid about keeping things clean and regulated while letting the market grow.
- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
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- Advanced bet features like parlay boosts
- Over 30 sports to wager on
- Competitive odds
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- 20+ sports to bet on
- Live sports betting available
- Competitive odds across its markets
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The top five brands to bet on in Kentucky
Since Kentucky decided to join the states that legalized sports betting, some of the biggest gambling brands have opened their virtual doors in the region. You have names like FanDuel and BetMGM, many of which also double as the best Ohio sportsbooks.
As of the time of this review, I had tried all eight KY sportsbooks that were legal in my state. Here are the five that didn’t waste my time and money. Let’s check out my MVPs.
| Online sportsbook | Welcome bonus in KY |
|---|---|
| FanDuel | Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets if you win |
| bet365 | First bet safety net up to $1,000 in bonus bets OR bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets if you win or lose |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets if your wager wins + 3 months of NBA League Pass |
| Caesars | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if you win |
| Fanatics | Up to $2,000 in FanCash |
FanDuel - the king of same game parlays and live betting
FanDuel Sportsbook In A Nutshell
I am a big fan of live betting, and FanDuel takes the crown in this regard. It flat-out delivers when it comes to real-time sports coverage, as it offers markets for both major and minor leagues. The integration of live streaming stacked its points even higher. Now, I do not have to place bets and watch the game on a different platform when I can do both right on the same sportsbook.
The betting brand is also credited for being the pioneer of Same Game Parlays in the US, and it's easy to see why. Here, you can combine multiple selections from a single game into one parlay. To top it off, the platform often offers boosted odds for SGP. If you choose to register here, you can expect a banger of a welcome bonus where you receive $300 bonus bet if you place an initial wager of $5 and win.
How To Sign Up
- Click the green ‘Join’ button at the top right of the homepage.
- Select your state/location and enter your email address, create a username, and set a password.
- Provide personal details, including full name, date of birth, and home address.
- Enter your phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification.
- Agree to the terms and conditions, confirm you are of legal age, and complete any additional verification steps.
- Click the ‘Create Account’ button to finalize your registration.
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bet365 — two different welcome bonuses and loads of promotions for returning bettors
Bet365 Sport In A Nutshell
The option to choose between two welcome bonuses was the first thing that made me more than excited to get started at bet365. As a new bettor, you select one of these: a first bet safety net that offers up to $1,000 in bonus bets or an option to bet $5 and get up to $200 back in bonus bets if you win or lose. Just a little inside scoop: I opted for the second offer because I still got a bonus whether I win or not.
Then, I visited the promotions page and was nearly stunned by the long list of offers I found. To be fair, many of these were available for only the season, but it was impressive to see that the sportsbook really paid attention to promotions. There was everything from profit boosts to parlay boosts and safety net bonuses – you name it, bet365 will deliver it.
Moving past the promotions, bet365 gets a high rating when it comes to sports coverage. Whether you prefer high-end sports like football or more niche options like darts, there’s something for you.
How To Sign Up
- Click on "Join".
- Provide your personal details
- Confirm your email address by clicking on the link sent by Bet365.
- Choose a payment method and deposit the desired amount.
- Browse available sports and events, and place your bets.
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DraftKings — full cashout and bet builder features
DraftKings Sport In A Nutshell
I am fully aware that the cashout and bet builder features are consistent with most betting sites, even at Indiana sportsbooks. However, with DraftKings, these functions are incredibly easy to use. One tap – that's all it takes to cash in early on your bets where the cash-out feature applies. With the bet builder, you can combine several picks from the same game into one parlay.
I take off my hat for DraftKings when it comes to sports coverage. Imagine having over 1,500 daily markets spread across 40+ sports. That is exactly what the sportsbook offers. This is in addition to a welcome package: Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets if your wager wins + 3 months of NBA League Pass. That’s some crazy good value right there!
How To Sign Up
- Visit the DraftKings website or download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Click on the “Sign Up” button, usually located in the upper right corner of the website or app.
- Enter your personal details and choose a unique username.
- Create a secure password. It must be at least 10 characters long and include at least one letter, one number, and one special character.
- Click “Create Account” or “Continue” to finalize the registration process.
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Caesars — a rewards program with real benefits
Fanatics – FanCash Rewards that can turn into merchandise
Fanatics In A Nutshell
Fanatics calls itself "the most rewarding online sportsbook," and I'll be honest - the FanCash program is unlike anything else in Kentucky. You get a percentage of your bet amount as FanCash, whether your wager wins or loses. Then, you redeem your FanCash for bonus bets or use it to buy team gear at Fanatics, pretty darn neat!
The operator eases you into its FanCash system right from the moment you register. As a new user, you get up to $2,000 in FanCash when you place your first bet. And this is just one of the few features I liked about Fanatics. You have 20+ sports to bet on, crazy competitive odds, and a fire mobile application that works so smoothly that you might prefer betting on it to your computer.
How To Sign Up
- Download the Fanatics mobile app. This is available on the Apple App and Google Play Store.
- Click “Log In” in the upper right corner.
- Enter your email address to start the account registration process.
- From here, provide the other necessary details like your name, date of birth, address, social security number, and more.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Enable biometrics, which allows you to log in with a face scan.
BONUS
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What you need to know before getting started with online sports betting in KY
I know this is boring, but it’s important you nail these key things down right. The requirements for sports betting in Kentucky are slightly different from what you will find on North Carolina sportsbooks and brands in other states. Here are the most important things you should keep in mind as a KY bettor:
🕒 Age Requirement
The minimum age for sports betting is 18, which is lower than the 21-year-old requirement in most states.
❌ What You Can’t Bet On
While you can bet on a wide variety of sports in KY, you cannot wager on the NFL draft, political events, or entertainment events.
💰 Tax on Winnings
The Kentucky Department of Revenue considers gambling winnings taxable income. That said, you have to pay a flat income tax rate of 6% on your sports betting winnings.
Pros and cons of sports betting in Kentucky
There are mostly benefits to placing sports bets in Kentucky, especially when you use any of the five brands I recommended. I did notice a few flaws, nothing too serious, but still noteworthy enough for me to point them out. Here is an overview of these pros and cons:
- Licensed sports betting brands
- Wide selection of betting options
- Legal betting age of 18 years
- Numerous promotions and loyalty programs
- 6% tax rate on winnings
- Restrictions on political event betting
Legal sportsbooks in Kentucky are all the rage – and for good reason!
The beauty of the Kentucky online sports betting scene is that you have some of the biggest gambling brands vying for your attention. I’ve made things much easier by narrowing the list to the top five, where you can enjoy crazy good sports coverage, high octane live betting, and a whole bunch of pretty nifty features such as cash out and bet builders.
Trying to get started? Easy! Download the sportsbook’s app, fill in your deets and you’re good to go. And don’t forget to claim a nagging welcome offer while you’re at it! If you prefer to place your picks directly on the website, click the link to their promo banner I’ve provided on this page. Remember that you have to be at least 18 years old to join an online sportsbook in Kentucky.
Discover the sportsbook bonuses we recommend
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- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
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FAQs
Why do I have to pay tax on my sports betting winnings in Kentucky?
Kentucky hits you with a 6% state tax on your net gambling proceeds because it considers gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Can I use Kentucky sportsbooks outside of the state?
Well, this really depends. If the sportsbook operates in the state where you're in (outside Kentucky), then you can carry on without issues. However, the offerings you find when you're in another state might be different from what is available for Kentucky bettors.
Must I download the app to use KY sportsbooks?
Not necessarily. Most Kentucky sportsbooks let you bet through their mobile or desktop website without downloading anything.