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Sports betting is officially legal in Kentucky after Gov. Beshear signed the bill in March. The law comes into effect in June, and it stipulates that regulators must establish a legal framework by Dec. 28, 2023, at the latest. Officials have targeted September, though, to capitalize on the NFL season. They will need to issue KY online sports betting licenses, and they hope to have the first Kentucky betting apps up and running for NFL Week 4.
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 have set Sept. 7 as a tentative launch date for sports betting at retail sportsbooks and Sept. 28 for betting apps and online wagering.
Regulators at the KHRC have until December 28 to promulgate the official regulations for sports betting in Kentucky but are working 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 is slated for Sept. 7. Retail sportsbooks at horse racing tracks would open first, followed three weeks later by online sportsbooks and sports betting apps. We will update readers more on the official sports betting KY launch date as details merit,
Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill legalizing sports betting in Kentucky on March 31, 2023. (Photo by Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY 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 when the legal industry gets underway. These are the key points to note:
You will need to be 18 or older to take part in Kentucky legal sports betting. Most states have imposed a minimum age of 21 for sports betting, but Kentucky opted for 18. You may be asked for ID if you visit a retail sportsbook if you look underage, and you will need to provide a range of details to prove your age when signing up with a KY online 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 will not 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 will simply be able to register online with any legal sportsbooks that appeal to you.
You will be 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.
We expect the country’s leading online sportsbooks to launch in Kentucky as soon as legal wagering begins. The biggest operators are live in more than 20 states, and they normally launch on Day 1, competing with one another to offer the most lavish Kentucky sportsbook promos in the initial rush to secure market share. These are the best Kentucky online sports betting sites to look out for:
There will probably be some smaller operators too, but those online Kentucky sports betting sites are likely to dominate the market, and each will offer sportsbook promo codes for new customers who sign up.
For example, the BetMGM Kentucky bonus code USATODAY will earn new customers a first bet offer worth up to $1,000. The Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky promo code USATODAYFULL will provide bettors with up to $1,250 on Caesars, plus 1,000 loyalty program points, while FanDuel and DraftKings are likely to offer some generous "bet and get" welcome bonuses when they launch in the Bluegrass State.
Operators will also likely offer proposition wagers which would allow Kentuckians to bet on MLB Futures and make prop bets on other pro leagues.
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 Kentuckians to bet on horse races such as the Kentucky Derby. Sports 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/USA TODAY Sports)
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 will soon have an exciting, diverse online sports betting industry featuring a wide range of brands. They will compete for new customers, so you will typically be offered generous promos 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.
Affiliate Disclosure: At USA TODAY, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling.com will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or 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.
Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
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