Sports Betting In Kentucky
Sports betting in Kentucky is pretty much cut down to just pari-mutuel betting on horse racing. This is understandable because probably the most popular horse race in the entire world, the Kentucky Derby, is in the state. As for sports betting on your favorite football game or whatever sports you like, you will not have much trouble doing so. This is large because online offshore sportsbooks exist. Kentucky legislatures attempted to legalize land and state-licensed sportsbooks in the state, but they ultimately failed. That doesn’t mean the end for sports betting in Kentucky. State legislatures are planning to try again in the next legislative session to legalize land-based sports gambling.
But as we said, you can still make your bets in Kentucky thanks to online offshore sportsbooks. Although these websites are not regulated by Kentucky or the United States, they are based outside of the US and are legal in their respective countries. They have always taken sports bets from Kentucky residents legally and they are continuing to do so. If you are a sports gambler and you are in Kentucky, then you are in luck. This page will tell you all about betting on sports in Kentucky and how to do so safely and legally. We will also give you information about the overall legality of sports betting in Kentucky and any information we feel will help you get prepared to bet on the Louisville Cardinals and any other of your favorite teams.
Does Kentucky Have Legal Land-Based Sports Gambling?
Kentucky does not have legal land-based sports gambling yet. Lawmakers from the state did introduce several bills, including KY HB 175 in 2019 which would have legalized land-based sports gambling. Unfortunately, the bill ended up being shelved before the legislative session ended. The same things happened in 2021 with KY HB 241. That doesn’t mean the end for land-based sports gambling. Lawmakers will have more legislative sessions in the future to allow people in the state to go to a land-based location to bet on sports. For now, though, betting on sports in Kentucky will have to be done online only. Do not use a bookie, that is against the law and you will get in trouble for using one.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Kentucky?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Kentucky. This is due to a technicality though. That is because of online offshore sportsbooks. These online sportsbooks are based outside of the United States and they operate legally in their respective countries. They also have the license to accept US sports bets. If you use one of the recommended sportsbooks, you will be able to legally place a bet on your favorite teams while you are in Kentucky. Each year that legislation has been introduced they have included provisions for in-state regulated online sportsbooks. While those bills have yet to pass, it seems like it’s only a matter of time when they do. In the meantime, these alternate online sportsbooks will continue to serve KY sports bettors in a safe and legal manner.
Which Sports Betting Site Accept Kentucky Residents?
Just about every worthwhile sports betting site accepts Kentucky players because they operate legally within their respective countries. With this in mind, though, it is important to note that no two sites are the same for sports betting in Kentucky. They are all different because of wagering options, deposit and payment methods, player perks, and other factors. This is why it is essential for you to find a sports betting website that has the features you require as well as a reliable and easy to use betting platform, customer service, and a reputation for safety. Down below, we have reviews of some of the best online offshore sportsbooks. We highly recommend these books due to the fact that they are the industry leaders of sports gambling.
Facts Regarding Legal Online Sports Betting In Kentucky
- Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team is one of the most popular bets to make nationwide.
- Kentucky sports bettors vary in age and demographic, but are most prominent among males 18-35 years old.
- It's 100% legal to wager on sports online in Kentucky when using the proper overseas-based website.
- New Kentucky sports bettors are eligible for massive sign-up bonuses when using online sportsbooks.
Bovada Sportsbook - Best Sports Betting Site In Kentucky
Bovada stands out among the best sites on the internet for an online Sportsbook. They provide multiple lines and a diverse amount of wager types from parlay to round robin. You will be able to not only find some of the best American professional teams here, but you can also bet on college teams and you can bet on games happening all over the world. For anyone in Kentucky looking to make a little money while supporting their favorite team, Bovada is the premier site to turn to.
It's easy to get started once you have put in some basic information, and Bovada makes sure that depositing is no problem supporting trusted services like using a credit card or Bitcoin. Taking a trip to their site is free and you can quickly learn about offers like their welcome bonus that can give you a 50% bonus up to $250 back on your first deposit. If you’re getting a little tired of the traditional betting scene check out their live betting function for an experience you'll never forget.
SportsBetting's Sportsbook - 25% Life Time Reload Bonus For Kentucky Residents
No one in Kentucky knows sports betting better than SportsBetting. Looking for a place with multiple lines, futures, and props? They've got you covered. Looking to vary up your wagers with if-bets, teasers, and the occasional single bet? Look no further than SportsBetting. SportsBetting has one of the biggest menus of sports and teams that you can wager on.
Registering is free and easy and depositing afterward shouldn't take you much longer than registering. Deposit using trusted credit cards or using cryptocurrencies, then look around and take advantage of exciting extra bonuses. On the first deposit you make, you can earn a 50% bonus for up to $1,000 when you use the promo code SB1000 at the cashier. If you're looking for an online sportsbook that will always put you first for sports betting in Kentucky then go to SportsBetting now and see what you've been missing.
BetOnline Sportsbook - One Of The Highest Rated Sportsbooks In Kentucky
Sometimes finding the right place to bet on sports can be tough, but in Kentucky, there is no better, or more legal place than Online. Online betting is one of the safest forms of betting as you can do it from the comfort of your own home, and no one makes you feel more comfortable than BetOnline.
They have been providing a high quality and easy to use spot for sports betting for over 10 years, and it isn't hard to see why so many people choose to stay with them. Follow any of the banners to find more on their 25% lifetime bonus. Making it easy to deposit money also goes a long way in keeping bettors with several options and easy funding methods such as cash wire transfers and MasterCard. Their mobile site is great for those bettors that are always on the go.
Top Kentucky Sports Betting Sites
Other Types Of Gambling Available In Kentucky
Kentucky has a lottery and a few permanent bingo halls spread throughout the state, but there are currently no casinos (commercial or otherwise). There does not currently seem to be any push that will allow for casinos to open up in the state. If you are looking for casino gambling, the best recommendation we have is go to one of our sportsbooks and use one of their casinos. Since Kentucky is home of the Kentucky Derby, horse racing is very much alive in the state. Sportsbooks may come in the near future, but as of this writing, there are no sportsbooks currently available in Kentucky.
Does Kentucky Allow Pari-Mutuel Betting?
Yes, Kentucky does allow for pari-mutuel betting. Kentucky is one of the most popular states for thoroughbred racing. There is Ellis Park in Henderson, Turfway Park in Florence, Keeneland in Lexington, and the famous Churchill Downs in Louisville. Churchill Downs hosts the Kentucky Derby and several other worldwide horse racing cups. This means that pari-mutuel racing is one of the biggest factors that bring people to the state. People from all over the country and the world comes to Churchill Downs to watch the Kentucky Derby. All of this means is yes, the state does allow pari-mutuel betting.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet Sports Online In Kentucky?
The legal gambling age in Kentucky is 18 years old when gambling on horse racing but all other gambling activity requires players to be 21 years old. We recommend that everybody wait until they are 21 before signing up for online sportsbooks and sports betting in Kentucky, just to make sure you don’t get yourself into any unnecessary trouble. The top sites allow players 18 years and up to play but again, to avoid perhaps having your site deleted and losing your gambling funds, just wait until you are 21.
What Teams Can I Bet On In Kentucky?
As far as teams in Kentucky to bet on, there are the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. These are all college programs that have competitive football teams that are regularly featured at all of the major sportsbooks. Other than that, there aren’t any pro sports teams in the state. The only other sports activity that you can bet on in the state is the Kentucky Derby, which is one of the most bet on sporting events in the entire country. But you are not just restricted to what is in Kentucky. These online offshore sportsbooks allow you to wager on your favorite teams from the United States and all over the world in a number of different sports. If you have a favorite handball team, feel free to bet on them!
How Do You Read American Odds?
Reading American odds when betting on sports is pretty easy as it is the most commonly used odd format there is. You will see a bracket with numbers in it next to a team or player you want to bet on and the number will either have a positive (+) or negative (-) sign next to them. For example, if you see a (-110) next to the Cleveland Cavaliers and a (+120) next to the Golden State Warriors, then that means the Cavaliers are the favorite and the Warriors are the underdog. The plus and minus represent the amount of the payout will be more than you have wagered or less. If it’s a negative, it indicates that that team is more likely to win, and the positive mean it isn’t as likely so it would pay out more.
Is Bitcoin Safe To Use For Sports Betting?
Bitcoin is actually the safest way to bank with sportsbooks. They use what they call a “blockchain” system of security that is essentially unhackable so the personal information you share with Bitcoin can’t be seen anywhere else. In fact, even when you make deposits and request payouts with Bitcoin, all you need is the unique Bitcoin address given to you when you first use Bitcoins. After that, you simply request a new address after each banking transaction and at no point do you need to provide any personal info. The anonymity is the biggest draw to the site and its security features are as good as it gets for sports betting in Kentucky. Sportsbooks love Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies so much, there are even exclusive bonuses for using them. We highly recommend you use Bitcoin and other cryptos when you make your sports bets.