Sports Betting For Kentucky Residents
Betting on sports in Kentucky is easy enough, even if sports wagering is technically still not legal in the Bluegrass State. You only need to be aware of a few things when you decide to join in on the action, primarily that the Internet is your best bet if you’re after Kentucky sports betting. When it comes to sports gambling online, you will be able to participate just by logging into your site of choice and browsing the hundreds of daily lines available.
Many people debate whether or not this form of gambling is legal, but the simple truth is that you do not have to worry about the law as it pertains to online sports betting. We are here to break down the laws in the state of Kentucky, and once you understand the breadth and scope of these, you’ll see that sports betting at offshore books is completely on the up-and-up. Best of all, using offshore-based Kentucky sportsbooks is easier than any other solution, even as more and more neighboring states launch their own sports betting services for residents and visitors.
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Legal Sports Betting Sites Accepting Kentucky Residents
Almost all online sports betting sites accept residents of Kentucky. However, finding out which books are reputable and fair can be a tedious, expensive process of tiresome trial and error. As such, we have decided to test out all of the more popular of these gambling sites in order to figure out exactly where you can bet on Kentucky with the most ease of access and greatest peace of mind. And we’ve found them!
Should you decide to start betting online, whether you want to bet on the Kentucky Derby or bet on the Kentucky Wildcats, you will want to stick only to the safest and most legitimate betting sites - those that offer a secure cashier, easy transactions, and favorable odds across all their betting boards. If you decide to stick with the options available on our site, you are guaranteed to have a first-rate experience with online sports gambling in Kentucky. If you want to place a wager on the Wildcats, these sportsbooks are going to be your best bet.
Bovada - Odds On NCAA Basketball, NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL
There might not be any professional sports franchises of note in the Bluegrass State, but there are plenty of sports fans to be found, and plenty of those folks are looking for KY sports betting opportunities. Those searching for a worthwhile online sportsbook that accepts Kentucky residents need to look no further than Bovada, the most popular Internet sportsbook in the state. Bovada has a tremendous reputation of having never missed a single payout, and we have used their award-winning sportsbook for years. CBS Sports and USA Today don’t give shout-outs to sub-par sports wagering sites, and they both tout Bovada as the best in the business.
After playing extensively at Bovada, we cannot find any reason to argue against the site and its offerings. You will find lightning-fast lines on all major sports both nationally and internationally, as well as lesser-known leagues and even political and entertainment props. This is a sportsbook for everybody, and we highly encourage you to sign up now to take advantage of Bovada’s generous bonus offer. New members can elect to receive a 50% Sports Welcome Bonus worth up to $250 in free-plays, all with the lowest rollover (5X) in the industry. This is more than enough incentive to sign up for free and explore everything the Bovada sportsbook has to offer. Kentucky residents will definitely appreciate that Bovada is there to make sports betting both fun and profitable.
SportsBetting - Bet Anywhere In KY With Thier Mobile App
Kentucky sports fans have many choices for wagering online, and if we were to give you one sportsbook that we believe towers above the rest (with the exception of Bovada), it would be SportsBetting. The domain name says it all: this is a site dedicated to sports lovers, and there are tens of thousands of Kentucky residents who call this site home. At SportsBetting, you will find expert odds on all major sports and leagues from around the world as well as lesser-known sports and even political odds. The sportsbook itself is beautiful to look at and easy to navigate. A lot of online sportsbooks that accept Kentucky players do not put enough time into developing an easy-to-use interface, but SportsBetting is a rare exception.
Sign up at SportsBetting now to take advantage of the site’s Mobile Betting platform, which lets you access the entire site from the palm of your hand. There is no download required – just sign in to your account from your iPhone, Android, Galaxy phone, or any other smartphone or tablet device that has an active Internet connection, and you will be betting on your favorite games from anywhere. New members who join SportsBetting today can take advantage of the site’s Welcome Bonus, where promo code SB1000 will match your first deposit at 50% for up to $1000 in free-plays.
BetOnline - Betting Lines On All Major And Minor Sports
Sports fans from Hickman to Concord looking for some safe and fun sports betting excitement need look no further than BetOnline. This site is virtually bursting with expert odds, wager types, special bonuses, and mind-blowing features like their industry-leading live-betting option. With live betting at BetOnline, Kentucky players can enjoy wagering on a game as it is taking place, in real time! Placing a bet at the beginning of a game can be fun, but this Kentucky online sportsbook lets you stretch your wagers all throughout a live game while the odds update to reflect all the up-to-the-minute action. While it sounds intriguing for new bettors, you truly can’t appreciate how amazing this feature is until you actually try it. To do that, just sign up at BetOnline, which is 100% free, safe, and secure.
Signing up at BetOnline comes with many other amazing perks, too, such as the site’s 50% Welcome Bonus that can add up to $1000 to your first deposit (promo code BOL1000). A reward this generous is rare, and only a site that knows its worth can offer such an amazing promotion. BetOnline has millions of loyal customers nationwide because the site delivers optimal sports betting action in a safe and fun environment.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
In 2021, state-sponsored sports betting in Kentucky was discussed in the state legislature. There was a House Bill that worked its way through the legal process that would’ve brought state-sponsored sports betting to KY in addition to daily fantasy sports. House Bill 241 was the bill that was initially proposed in 2020 before being shot down. The new bill was a revised version of the previous bill, but with some modified changes to increase its chance of passing. But even with those changes, it was not able to get enough support to pass through the legislature and reach the governor’s desk. This was mainly because the issue was overshadowed by the legalization of historical horse racing machines and the fact that odd numbered years have a shorter legislative session.
Residents of Kentucky will be happy to know that there are no criminal charges that can be levied against them should they decide to bet on sports over the Internet via international platforms. Live sports betting without the use of the Internet could actually get you in some form of trouble, though, as underground black-market bookies are openly breaking KY state laws by offering their services to you. As such, it’s best that you stick to the online sportsbooks that we recommend to ensure that you are playing legally and safely.
The biggest, most restrictive federal sports betting law, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA, 1992), is no longer in effect, having been overturned by the US Supreme Court in May 2018. Now that PASPA has been eliminated, every state is free to chart their own courses vis a vis sports betting regulation, and many are passing bills available on our Kentucky sports betting bill tracker to do just that. Whether or not Kentucky will join that number in the short or long term remains to be seen, but for now, sports betting for Kentucky residents can easily be found online at legal online sportsbook websites such as Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, MyBookie, and XBet.
Legal Kentucky March Madness Betting
The state of Kentucky is well aware when it comes to betting on March Madness. Between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals, the Bluegrass state has seen some of the best college basketball has to offer over the years. While the hometown teams might not be in the tournament this year, there are still plenty of passionate fans looking for a way to bet on the NCAA Tournament. Luckily, there are numerous online sportsbooks like Bovada, MyBookie, and others that are legal and ready to accept all of your March Madness wagers. There offer all the best prop bets, parlay bets and other betting options that players can take a chance on. This year, fill your bracket and your wallet with winnings with the international online sportsbooks available in Kentucky.
Legal Kentucky Derby Betting
There is no doubt that the biggest sports event in the entire state of Kentucky is the Kentucky Derby. Betting on the Derby is an American tradition that sees tens of millions of people bet on the ponies to try and hit the big one. The best part is that betting on the Kentucky Derby is completely legal for residents of Kentucky, as well as residents of most other states around the country. There are tons of off-track betting (OTB) locations throughout the US (though ironically none in Kentucky, albeit if you’re actually in the Bluegrass State, you should make absolutely every effort to get to Churchill Downs for the big race).
There are also a number of legal Kentucky derby betting that are completely trustworthy and reputable, and these are perfect for those who can’t make it to their local track or OTB site to participate in simulcast wagering on the Run for the Roses.
Mobile Sports Betting Sites In Kentucky
Sports betting has not yet been regulated in the state of Kentucky therefore there are no online sports betting regulations either. Sports bettors in the Kentucky area still have options however, as online sportsbooks allow them to get in on the action. As these online sportsbooks aren’t on US jurisdictions, they are legally operational without the need for state regulation. Sports bettors can simply place their wagers through one of the online sports betting apps on their phone and they are on their way. These mobile sports betting websites can allow bettors to place wagers on various aspects of NFL and college football games. With Kentucky playing football this year, it might be a good idea to get on over to a mobile sportsbook.
Kentucky Sports Betting & Gambling Laws
The laws related to sports betting in Kentucky contain no language that specifically mentions online gambling, whether to ban it or to make it explicitly legal. If you decide to bet on sports in the state, you may still want to look through Chapter 528 (“Gambling”) of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. If you study these, you will find nothing related to the Internet, online gambling, or gambling via wire communications. This means that you will not get in any trouble if you decide to bet on sports by way of the Internet.
That said, like most states, KY does explicitly bar bookmaking and “advancing gambling activity”, but these address only those who accept wagers, not those who place them. As such, you are free to use offshore betting sites to wager on sports, and you face zero legal ramifications for doing so. Just remember to pay taxes on your winnings.
Legal Gambling Age For Kentucky Residents
Should you decide to bet on sports in KY, you will have to first reach your 18th birthday. Provided you are at least 18 years old, you will not have any trouble actually betting on sports, provided that you stick to one or all of our most highly recommended legal offshore sportsbook websites – those being Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie.
Failure to adhere to this age limit will land you in a world of complications, as these sportsbooks take their Terms of Service extremely seriously. If you violate these terms and wager underage, you face having your account permanently closed and having all your money – including your unused wallet funds and pending winnings – forfeited. As far as we know, nobody has ever been arrested for simply using an offshore sportsbook, but you will be breaking the law if you do so underage. We get it, we love betting on the NFL and College Football as well, but don’t break the law.
Land Based Gambling In Kentucky
There are only a handful of horse racing tracks in Kentucky. No casinos or sportsbooks exist in the state. Further, KY racetracks are strictly pari-mutuel venues, with no racino facilities on-site. Thus, you will not be able to gamble on sports or casino-style games in any public location without running the risk of getting in trouble. This is why we so heartily recommend that our readers join legal online sports betting sites, like industry leaders Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie. These online sportsbooks allow anyone to wager on sports, from the NFL to College Football to the Kentucky Derby.
The racetrack venues in KY include Churchill Downs (the famous home of the Kentucky Derby), Ellis Park Race Track, Keeneland Race Course, Kentucky Downs, Players Bluegrass Downs, the Red Mile, Thunder Ridge, and Turfway Park.
For more on the future of legal gambling in specific Kentucky cities, check out:
FAQ About Online Sports Betting In Kentucky
1) Kentucky has seized some online gambling domains in the past. Why do they do this if it is not illegal?
A federal court seized these gambling sites, not the state of Kentucky or state law enforcement officials. These sites were breaking federal laws by operating within the USA. The legal sportsbooks that we review operate outside of United States jurisdiction and are regulated by their home countries, which is why they can be legally used by anyone in America, including all the avid sports fans in Kentucky.
2) How are these sports betting sites legal if Kentucky has not actually authorized any live gambling sites?
A lack of state regulation does not in itself mean that an activity is against the law. Instead, this merely means that the state has no in-built mechanism to collect taxes on such gambling sites, nor can it provide the users with any legal recourse in the event of a business policy dispute. If you stick to sports betting outlets operating online and hosted in other countries – namely offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie – then you can rest assured that you aren’t in violation of any state or federal laws.
3) Is online sports gambling federally illegal?
No. You will not get in trouble for gambling online in the state of Kentucky. The federal laws currently in place – the Wire Act and the UIGEA – only require these sites (and their associated banking partners) to be headquartered overseas. Check out our laws page to read more about federal and state laws regarding online sports betting. If you have any specific questions about the law, be sure to consult a certified local attorney. Remember, we are gambling enthusiasts and analysts, and though we’ve done our very best to help explain KY gaming laws, we are not lawyers.
4) Where are the Kentucky statutes of gambling listed?
You can find all the pertinent Kentucky statutes related to gambling listed here here. You will probably need to do some digging around in order to find everything you are looking for regarding sports betting for Kentucky residents, but we strongly recommend that you take pains to identify all the laws on this topic. We are not lawyers by any means, so please consult a legal professional if you really want to be sure you are in the clear to use the de facto Kentucky sportsbooks based online via overseas operators.
5) What do I have to do to fund my account at offshore KY sportsbooks?
To make a deposit at an offshore betting site, you will have to use a credit card, a bank wire transfer, a money order, a cashier’s check, or Bitcoin (or other cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum or Litecoin, etc.). There are a few other options depending on the site you choose, but the above are the most common. Check out the online cashier of the site you are looking at to see all the funding options. More than any other banking method, we recommend Bitcoin thanks to its fast deposits, no added fees, very high limits, and same-day withdrawals.
6) Is gambling online safe, or is it possible that I can have my identity stolen?
If you stick to our recommended gambling sites, you will be kept totally safe as you wager on the outcome of your favorite games and contests. Sites such as Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie only use the most up-to-date security software and optimal encryption techniques. They are as safe to use as Amazon or PayPal, and you can increase that security substantially by using cryptocurrencies to fund your accounts.
7) What safeguards are in place to protect my credit card information?
Your credit card information will be kept safe by way of state-of-the-art encryption when you transfer your funds and personal account information. These sites would not still be in business if they let members’ monies or identities become jeopardized, so you can be confident that you will be in good hands with these top service providers.
8) Has anyone ever been arrested for gambling online in Kentucky?
Nobody has ever been arrested or even fined for gambling online in the state of Kentucky. We are happy to report that our research into the subject of legal sports betting for Kentucky residents failed to turn up even a single instance of KY bettors being inconvenienced by local law enforcement simply for place sports wagers over the Internet.
9) Is there any hope for regulated online sports betting in Kentucky?
At the moment, the potential future for regulated online sports betting in Kentucky is quite good. As of the state’s 2021 legislative session, lawmakers have introduced sports betting bills two years in a row and are committed to passing a bill in 2023.
10) If live sports betting is illegal, why is online sports betting legal?
Kentucky online sports betting is legal because the state historically left it up to the federal government to regulate the activity. Thus, as long as the sites follow the federal stipulations, they are able to function legally.
While all of the sites we recommend are right at the top of the list for the best online sportsbooks for USA players, there are a lot of lesser sites out there that simply cannot be trusted. If you don’t see a thorough site like ours reviewing these, do not sign up. Remember, these sites operate outside of US legal purview, and if a shady fly-by-night service rips you off, you have no recourse. Our top picks have never had such problems, and they’ve been in business for decades offering daily lines for millions of fans, all on the strength of their customer service and commitment to fairness and transparency across the board. Join one or join them all – you simply can’t go wrong!
11) Will Kentucky Be Playing College Football This Year?
Kentucky will be playing their College Football this year, as they are a part of the SEC, and the SEC is set to go on as scheduled. However, there may be differences between this year and normal years. For example, this year, the SEC will not be playing any out of conference games, due to COVID-19. That said, the season (or, most of it) will still be happening, and Kentucky fans will be able to watch their football team - for better or for worse.