Kentucky Sports Betting Overview 2024 (Updated: December)

By

Bram Welch

Bram Welch Sports Editor

Bram Welch has been writing about sports betting and iGaming for over six years. He started as a freelancer before joining our team in 2022. He has worked teaching English as a foreign language and as a journalist for the UK's largest regional newspaper.

All posts by Bram Welch

Sports Editor

Updated 17 Dec 2024

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Kentucky sports betting is available online and in person, covering professional leagues and college sports. Gov. Andy Beshear signed HB 551 into law in March 2023, enabling sportsbook apps and retail locations to begin accepting wagers in September of the same year.

Residents of the Bluegrass State can start placing sports bets using one of the top 10 sites for online betting in Kentucky. We’ll discuss the features that set these sportsbooks apart from the rest. Also, we explore the current KY gambling landscape and highlight where to find the best bonuses and promotions.

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Kentucky Sports Betting Overview 2024 (Updated: December)

Kentucky is one of the most gambling-friendly states in the US, with both online and retail sports betting legal and live. Betting on horse racing is also available and very popular in the Bluegrass State. Before anything, let’s overview the current state of sports betting in Kentucky.

Category	Status	Details
Online Sports Betting		Legal
Legal Since	March 2023	Sports betting is legal
State Population	4.5 million [2020]	Population as of 2020
Retail Sports Betting		Legal
Legal Sports Betting Age	21 years old	N/A
College Sports Betting		Betting on high school sports is prohibited
Betting on Horse Racing		Legal
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)		DFS companies exist in a legal gray area
Esports Betting		Legal
Latest Legislative News	No ongoing legislative efforts	N/A
Tribal Casinos		No tribal casinos
Commercial Casinos		No commercial casinos

List of the Best Kentucky Sports Betting Sites 2024

If you want to wager on sports in the Bluegrass State, we recommend using one of the top 10 Kentucky online sports betting sites. These offshore sportsbooks are fully licensed and safe to play at, and they provide more expansive market coverage of collegiate sports and significantly higher bonuses.

1. BetOnline – No. 1 Overall KY Sportsbook in 2024
2. Bovada – KY Sportsbook for NBA Betting
3. MyBookie – Ideal for NFL Betting in KY
4. Everygame – Recommended for Soccer Betting
5. BetUS – Best for KY Sports Betting Predictions
6. Sportsbetting.ag – Regular Contests with Massive Prize Pools
7. BetWhale – Excellent for Esports Bettors
8. XBet – Claim Cash Rebates on Horse Racing Losses
9. TG Casino – Best Crypto Sportsbook in Kentucky
10. BUSR – Top Pick for Horse Racing Betting & the Triple Crown

Top Kentucky Sportsbooks 2024 Reviewed

Discover the features and offerings that make our top 5 Kentucky sportsbooks stand out. We’ll also highlight areas for improvement.

1. BetOnline – No. 1 Overall KY Sportsbook in 2024

• Established: 2001
• Licensed In: Panama City, Panama
• No. of Sports Markets: 25+
• Live Betting/Streaming: /

Overall Rating: 4.9/5.0

Kentuckians looking for the best site to wager on their favorite sports can call BetOnline home. This Kentucky sports betting site, launched in 2004, offers an entertaining experience with several exciting features. First, the platform’s betting options are numerous, with competitive odds for over 25 sports, including popular sports like football and basketball, and niche options like boxing and golf.

Join free-entry contests like $10k NFL Survivor, $200k NFL Megacontest, $10k NCAA player props predictor, and more for your chance to win big!

In addition, a wide range of markets is on offer, including moneylines, spreads, totals, props, and futures. In addition, BetOnline provides opportunities to wager parlays, same-game parlays, teasers, and if bets. KY residents can also enjoy building custom props, enhanced odds on select games, esports live streaming, and live sports betting options on the site. KY bettors can also wager on the NFL Draft using this platform, an option not found on native apps.

Esports bettors in Kentucky will appreciate BetOnline’s dedicated esports page, where diverse wagering lines are available for Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, GT League, Warcraft 3, and more. Furthermore, this Kentucky sportsbook has regular contests, a racebook, and VIP rewards for returning players. There are also a range of sports-specific promotions which can be claimed using BetOnline promo codes.

• NCAAB Cardinals & Wildcats Markets: 4.8/5.0
• Horse Racing Betting Lines: 5.0/5.0
• Safety & Security: 4.9/5.0
• Local Payment Options: 4.7/5.0
• Live Streaming: 5.0/5.0
• Live Betting: 4.8/5.0
• Bonus & Promotions: 5.0/5.0

2. Bovada – KY Sportsbook for NBA Betting

• Established: 2011
• Licensed In: Curaçao
• No. of Sports Markets: 25+
• Live Betting/Streaming: /

Overall Rating: 4.8/5.0

Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies fans in Kentucky will love wagering on Bovada, a top-rated Kentucky sports betting site established in 2011. The Curacao-licensed site boasts an impressive range of NBA wagers with attractive odds covering the NBA, WNBA, and college basketball.

Invite a friend and score a 200% referral bonus up to $200 when they make a first deposit on Bovada.

The prop bet options include lines like First Basket Scorer, Player to Score 50+ Points in a Game, Stephen Curry Over/Under 30.5 Points, Jayson Tatum vs. Jimmy Butler Points, and Russell Westbrook to Record a Triple-Double. Bovada also provides futures markets, such as NBA Championship winner, NBA MVP winner, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year. There are numerous betting options on this site.

Bovada’s Parlay Booster enhances odds on select games in the NBA and other major leagues and sports. The live betting suite allows you to bet on ongoing games, wagering on events as they unfold. If you move over to the racebook, you’ll get access to many horse races from tracks worldwide. Sign up to Bovada today, enter the Bovada promo code, and claim a 50% welcome bonus.

• NCAAB Cardinals & Wildcats Markets: 4.7/5.0
• Horse Racing Betting Lines: 4.8/5.0
• Safety & Security: 4.9/5.0
• Local Payment Options: 4.7/5.0
• Live Streaming: N/A
• Live Betting: 4.8/5.0
• Bonus & Promotions: 4.9/5.0

3. MyBookie – Ideal for NFL Betting in KY

• Established: 2014
• Licensed In: Curaçao
• No. of Sports Markets: 25+
• Live Betting/Streaming: /

Overall Rating: 4.7/5.0

Launched in 2014, MyBookie is another leading site for Kentucky sports betting, especially for NFL supporters. The KY sportsbook comes with several features that enhance the NFL betting experience. First is the range of promotions on offer, including a 100% welcome bonus, a 50% reload offer, a 200% referral bonus, and a VIP program. The promos, which can be claimed using MyBookie bonus codes, can help boost your bankroll and potential payouts.

University of Kentucky Wildcats fans can enjoy competitive odds and exciting Squares contests for more game-day fun.

Then, MyBookie provides Squares contests where you get to test your NFL and NCAAF knowledge and prediction skills against other bettors. You can enter the games with as little as $1.25 and compete for massive prize pools of up to $10,000. Additionally, the platform’s live betting allows you to capitalize on the changing odds of live NFL games and earn a profit.

If you’re seeking more fun ways to make money, you can try out MyBookie’s Money Bag picks. Here, the sportsbook assigns a random team or player to your bet. This adds an element of surprise to your betting, as you don’t know who or what you’re betting on until after placing the wager. Furthermore, the site supports multiple payment options, including dozens of cryptocurrencies, allowing for faster and more convenient transactions.

• NCAAB Cardinals & Wildcats Markets: 4.6/5.0
• Horse Racing Betting Lines: 4.7/5.0
• Safety & Security: 4.8/5.0
• Local Payment Options: 4.6/5.0
• Live Streaming: 5.0/5.0
• Live Betting: 4.6/5.0
• Bonus & Promotions: 4.6/5.0

4. Everygame – Recommended KY Sportsbook for Soccer Betting

• Established: 2022 (1983 as “Intertops“)
• Licensed In: Curaçao
• No. of Sports Markets: 15+
• Live Betting/Streaming: /

Overall Rating: 4.6/5.0

One of the pioneers of Kentucky sports betting, Everygame was founded as far back as 1983. The site is best for Kentuckians who want to wager on FC Cincinnati, Major League Soccer, the Premier League, the Champions League, and other major soccer competitions worldwide.

Bet on the three UEFA soccer competitions and stand a chance to win up to $1,000!

Upon visiting Everygame, you’ll immediately appreciate the platform’s user-friendly and intuitive interface, allowing seamless navigation. The sleek design ensures that finding and placing bets is both quick and easy. Additionally, you’ll find diverse soccer betting lines on offer, including moneylines, handicaps, and totals. Numerous props and futures options across domestic and international competitions are also available.

Another impressive feature of Everygame is that many of the regular markets are also available on the live betting page. Thanks to the site’s fast loading times, odds are updated in real-time, allowing you to take advantage and earn a profit. Moreover, this Kentucky sports gambling site has several exclusive promotions catering to soccer bettors, including deposit bonuses, odds boosts, free bets, and cashback offers. Remember to enter Everygame bonus codes to claim these promos.

• NCAAB Cardinals & Wildcats Markets: 4.5/5.0
• Horse Racing Betting Lines: 4.7/5.0
• Safety & Security: 4.6/5.0
• Local Payment Options: 4.5/5.0
• Live Streaming: N/A
• Live Betting: 4.7/5.0
• Bonus & Promotions: 4.6/5.0

5. BetUS – Best for KY Sports Betting Predictions

• Established: 1994
• Licensed In: Mwali, Comoros Union
• No. of Sports Markets: 20+
• Live Betting/Streaming: /

Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0

BetUS is another highly rated site for sports betting in Kentucky, founded in 1994 and licensed in Mwali, Comoros Union. The KY sportsbook comes with the unique BetUS TV, which features YouTube shows across all major sports. In these videos, you can watch expert handicappers, like Sean Green and Alex Christenson, analyze games and provide betting picks and predictions for various sports, from the UFC to college football to NASCAR.

Stay ahead of the game with in-depth analyses, expert picks, and the latest sports news in The Locker Room.

You may leverage information from BetUS-TV’s insightful shows to make bet picks across any of the site’s 25+ sports covered. Moneylines, spreads, handicaps, totals, props, and outrights are available, with parlays, SGPs, and live betting options. Also, there are enhanced odds on select games and a feature to help you build your custom props quickly.

Horse racing enthusiasts in Kentucky can explore BetUS’s racebook and wager on races from tracks worldwide. Before wagering as a new customer, you can claim a sizeable 125% sports/casino welcome bonus to help start your journey. Subsequently, you can take advantage of reload offers and VIP rewards. Just enter BetUS promo codes to claim these bonuses. Apart from sports, you can also bet on politics, entertainment, and financials on BetUS.

• NCAAB Cardinals & Wildcats Markets: 4.4/5.0
• Horse Racing Betting Lines: 4.6/5.0
• Safety & Security: 4.5/5.0
• Local Payment Options: 4.4/5.0
• Live Streaming: N/A
• Live Betting: 4.6/5.0
• Bonus & Promotions: 4.5/5.0

Top Kentucky Online Sports Betting Platforms Compared

The table below compares the features and offerings available at our top 10 sites for online betting in Kentucky.

Sportsbook	Sport Bonus	Promo Code	No. of sports markets	Live Betting	Live Streaming	Parlays	SGPs
BetOnline	$250 in free bets	FREE250	25+
Bovada	75% up to $750	BTCSWB750	25+
MyBookie	100% up to $1,000 + $10 casino chip	MB100	25+
Everygame	100% up to $500	WELCOME500	15+
BetUS	100% up to $2,000	JOIN125	20+
Sportsbetting.ag	50% up to $500	WELCOME	25+
BetWhale	125% up to $1,250	WHALECOME	15+
XBet	50% up to $200	XBWELCOME50	25+
TG Casino	200% rakeback up to 10 ETH	N/A	35+
BUSR	100% up to $2,500	SPORTS100FP	25+

How We Select the Best KY Sportsbooks

Below, we’ll let you in on the key criteria we considered when selecting the top 10 sites for online betting in Kentucky.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?

Yes, Kentucky sports betting is legal both online and in person. After multiple failed attempts over the years, Rep. Michael Meredith finally got HB 551 over the finish line on the last day of the 2023 legislative session. The bill advanced in the Senate in March, leading to the launch of retail sports betting on September 7. Online wagering followed suit, going live just 11 days later.

As of December 2024, there are eight state-regulated Kentucky sportsbooks and around ten brick-and-mortar locations. That said, most of the KY betting apps have limited wagering options and promotions. Also, they typically don’t allow payments using cryptocurrencies and specific international payment methods like Neteller and ecoPayz.

For a less restricted and more enjoyable wagering experience, you should use our top 10 recommended offshore sportsbooks. These sites are fully licensed in reputed jurisdictions, available to all Kentuckians, and safe to play. By wagering at these sportsbooks in Kentucky, you get to enjoy more betting markets, more diverse payment options, and bigger bonuses.

Who Can Bet on Sports in Kentucky?

The minimum age for online and retail Kentucky legal sports betting is 21. That said, persons aged 18 years old are permitted to wager on horse racing in the Bluegrass State.

Additionally, you must be physically located within the state of Kentucky to place bets. KY sportsbooks have a geolocation technology feature that checks whether you’re within state borders before allowing you to start betting.

Is DFS Legal in Kentucky?

No, daily fantasy sports are not explicitly legal in Kentucky. However, DFS platforms continue to operate in a legal gray area. The HB 551 Kentucky sports betting bill did not include legislation to regulate daily fantasy sports. As a result, while DFS is available in KY, it works in an unregulated environment.

Some popular DFS sites in the Bluegrass State include:

• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• Underdog
• Fantasy Draft

Latest News on Kentucky Sports Betting Legislation

Betting in Kentucky is legal, but this achievement didn’t happen overnight. Before sports betting became regulated, there were many twists and turns. Let’s take a closer look at Kentucky’s path to making sports gambling a reality.

• March 29, 2024: NCAA president Charlie Baker sends a letter to KHRC requesting a ban on collegiate prop bets in the state. The request is currently under review.
• September 18, 2023: Online sports betting in Kentucky goes live.
• September 7, 2023: Retail sports betting launches in Kentucky.
• March 2023: Rep. Michael Meredith files HB 551, which passes in the Senate, legalizing Kentucky sports gambling.
• 2021: HB 241 is another attempt to legalize online sports betting in Kentucky, but the bill doesn’t get enough support.
• 2020: Rep Adam Koenig files HB 137, which passes a House committee but does not advance to a floor vote because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2019: KY lawmakers introduce HB 175 to legalize Kentucky online sports betting. However, the bill doesn’t get past the House.
• May 2018: The Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, allowing individual states, including Kentucky, to legalize sports betting.

Sports Betting KY Taxation Laws

In Kentucky, you have to pay taxes on your sports betting winnings. If you win money when wagering online, you’ll be taxed at a rate of 9.75%. Meanwhile, in-person sports gambling attracts a higher tax rate of 14.25%. These are state taxes.

Besides state taxes, you must also pay federal taxes on your gambling winnings. The IRS requires you to report all your betting profits on your tax return, which are taxed up to 24%.

Kentucky’s tax rates are in the middle range compared to other states. For comparison, New York taxes online sports wagering winnings at 51%, while Iowa taxes at 6.75%.

Bonuses Available at the Best Kentucky Betting Sites

The best Kentucky sportsbooks provide a range of promotions to help give you extra funds and enhance your potential winnings. These include welcome bonuses, reloads, rebates, free bets, and odds boosts.

Below, we’ll highlight the bonuses available at our featured Kentucky betting sites.

Sportsbook	Welcome Bonus	Reload Bonus	No-Sweat Bets	Odds Boosts	Cash Rebates	Crypto Promos
BetOnline	$250 in free bets		50% risk-free live bet	Parlays, futures, and props	$50 risk-free player prop wager
Bovada	75% up to $750			Parlay booster	% of cashback depends on position on Rewards ladder	75% deposit bonus up to $750
MyBookie	100% up to $1,000 + $10 casino chip	50% up to $1,250		Daily specials
Everygame	100% up to $500		20 x $50 parlay free bets			50% up to $1,000
BetUS	100% up to $2,000	100% up to $2,500		Odds booster		150% up to $2,000
Sportsbetting.ag	50% up to $500	25% up to $250	Up to $100 on live wagers	Daily booster	$100 risk-free player prop wager	100% crypto welcome bonus up to $1,000
BetWhale	125% up to $1,250	Unlimited 50% match bonus	$50 player prop	Daily Booster		250% first deposit bonus
XBet	50% up to $200	5% crypto re-up bonus up to $100
TG Casino	200% rakeback up to 10 ETH + 50 free spins					200% rakeback up to 10 ETH + 50 free spins
BUSR	100% up to $2,500	50% up to $1,250				100% up to $1,000 bonus

Most Popular Sports & Teams to Wager on in KY

Although Kentucky has no professional sports teams, state residents are still passionate about sports. They support pro teams from neighboring states and avidly follow college sports, particularly basketball and football. Also, Kentuckians have a deep-rooted passion for horse racing. Let’s find out the popular sports and teams for online betting in Kentucky.

Payment Methods at the Best KY Sportsbooks

Top-rated Kentucky sports betting sites support various payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. Find out the popular options available at our featured sites for betting in Kentucky.

Deposit Options

The table below shows the payment options available for deposits at our rated Kentucky sports betting sites.

Sportsbook	Bitcoin	Altcoins	E-wallet	Debit / Credit Cards	Bank Transfer	Gift Cards
BetOnline
Bovada
MyBookie
Everygame
BetUS
Sportsbetting.ag
BetWhale
XBet
TG Casino
BUSR

Withdrawal Options

Find out the options for withdrawing funds at the best Kentucky online sports betting sites below.

Sportsbook	Bitcoin	Altcoins	E-wallet	Debit / Credit Cards	Bank Transfer	Gift Cards
BetOnline
Bovada
MyBookie
Everygame
BetUS
Sportsbetting.ag
BetWhale
XBet
TG Casino
BUSR

Mobile Wagering & Kentucky Sports Betting Apps

According to Statista, the global number of smartphone users is projected to increase by 30.6% between 2024 and 2029, reaching 1.5 billion. This significant rise in mobile phone usage is a major reason why sports betting apps are growing in popularity. These apps are becoming increasingly favored by Kentuckians because of their ease of use, live betting options, real-time updates, exclusive promotions, and more.

Although our recommended Kentucky sportsbooks do not offer native apps, they all come with mobile-optimized websites compatible with Android and iPhone. These sites feature intuitive designs and fast loading times, allowing you to navigate and place bets easily. Also, by creating a bookmark on your home screen, you can make these sites function similarly to apps and access your favorite sportsbooks easily.

Pros & Cons of Sports Betting in Kentucky

Since sports betting in KY was legalized in 2023, the state and its residents have benefited in several ways. That said, sports wagering has presented some drawbacks as well. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of online betting in Kentucky below.

Betting in Neighboring States to KY

Kentucky is one of the most gambling-friendly states in the United States, as both online and retail sports betting are permitted. How do the sports betting laws compare to those in the states surrounding KY? Let’s explore the situation across its borders.

Indiana

Indiana lies to the north of Kentucky, and like KY, both online and retail sports betting are legal in the Hoosier State. Indiana sports betting became legal when Gov. Eric Holcomb signed HB 1015 into law in May 2019. DFS and horse racing are also regulated in IN.

Ohio

Ohio residents can wager on sports online and in person at almost 20 sportsbook apps and many retail locations. The Buckeye State legalized sports betting in 2021, including daily fantasy sports and horse racing. College wagering is also permitted, but the Buckeyes can not make prop bets on individual college athletes.

Tennessee

Tennessee sports betting became legal in 2020 but is only available online. As of 2024, about 10 sportsbook apps are in operation in the state. While betting on pro and college sports is permitted in Tennessee, residents cannot wager prop bets on individual college athletes or teams.

West Virginia

West Virginia became one of the first states to allow online sports betting in December 2018. The state’s five casinos offer both in-person and mobile wagering. Betting on college and professional sports, esports, daily fantasy sports, and horse racing are allowed.

Missouri

Unlike neighboring states, Missouri sports betting is yet to take off as of 2024. The most recent efforts during the 2024 legislative session failed again, but there will likely be a November ballot vote. So, casinos, pro sports teams, and politicians will have a chance to decide the fate of sports betting by November 2024.

Illinois

Since launching online sports betting in 2020, Illinois has become one of the most successful and competitive states. Illinois sports betting sites offer opportunities to bet on pro sports, daily fantasy sports (DFS), and horse racing without restrictions. However, wagering on college teams is limited to moneylines, spreads, and totals. Also, residents cannot bet on in-state college teams.

Other Types of Gambling in Kentucky

Apart from sports betting and daily fantasy sports, other gambling activities are permitted in the Bluegrass State. Below are the other types of gambling available in Kentucky.

• Racetrack casinos
• Poker
• The Kentucky Lottery
• Horse racing
• Charitable gambling

Best Sports Betting Site in Kentucky 2024

Sports betting in Kentucky is available online and in person. Also, the hosts of the famous Kentucky Derby allow wagering on horse racing. Gambling on college teams and athletes is permitted as well. Additionally, with no laws explicitly addressing daily fantasy sports, DFS platforms operate in KY.

For the best Kentucky sports betting experience, we recommend using BetOnline. The Panama-licensed sportsbook provides a range of betting lines across all major KY sports, offers competitive betting odds, and offers generous promotions. Furthermore, live betting options, odds boosters, and parlays are available.

KY Sports Betting FAQs

Gambling Resources

• Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling
• Kentucky Division of Behavioral Health
• Gamblers Anonymous
• Gam-Anon
• Gam Talk

Page Resources

• KY Legislative Research Committee
• Kentucky Department of Revenue
• United States Census Bureau
• Wikipedia
• Statista