Legal Kentucky Sports Betting Sites
Kentucky is known as a gambling haven due to their lackadaisical approach to horse racing betting; however, without any laws covering sports wagering, players are left to utilize legal Kentucky sports betting sites. These operators provide everything that bettors would need from excellent betting line options, amazing customer service, and reliable deposit and payout methods to ensure money transfers are secure. They offer betting lines on teams like the University of Kentucky and Louisville and even offer futures odds on them to win the NCAA Tournament or finish with a certain amount of wins in the college football season.
If you are unsure about how to get started or need a refresher on the sports betting laws for Kentucky, then you have come to the right place. We have compiled all of the information necessary regarding sports betting laws, the future of the industry, as well as an overview of the daily fantasy and horse racing industries. It is our goal to make you confident and comfortable when using a sports betting site in Kentucky or looking for ways to win at the track. If your question wasn’t answered, be sure to scan through our FAQ’s for additional information.
Kentucky Sports Betting Laws
There are no standards when it comes to sports betting in Kentucky. The Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) do not specifically mention the terms sports betting, which leave the legality in a major grey area. The state does not currently offer any licensed operators; furthermore, using one of the available unlicensed operators is against the law, according to KRS 528.020.
However, this lack of licensed operators does not stop Kentucky players from being able to bet on sports with offshore betting sites. These overseas operators are licensed and regulated by their home countries, which make them safe, legal, and reliable for Kentucky players. Being that there are no sports betting laws, the state has no jurisdiction to find this act illegal, nor does the federal government. Any additional information about gambling, in general, can be found in KRS 528 which covers promoting gambling, conspiring to promote gambling, and possession gambling records.
The Legality Of Sports Betting In Kentucky
Sports betting has not made its way into legality as of yet. The state has been working towards bringing the industry into fruition as legislators have filed bills to expand the gambling terms in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Though the measures never got too far off the ground, they were all discussed before the overturning of PASPA, which removed the illegal status of states operating sportsbooks.
The most recent legislative method to formalize betting industry was 2019 KY House Bill 175. This bill would have allowed for the Kentucky Racing Commission to permit sports wagering at tracks and other specified locations. It would move to make the style of wagering legal and establish licensing requirements for the tracks and other facilities. There were no talks of mobile betting but generally states establish the basics before advancing into the online platforms.
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Legal Age To Bet On Sports In Kentucky
Kentucky is in an interesting position as the state does not technically have a sports betting or casino gaming age due to them having neither options. In this matter, if the site permits you to play at 18, as most do, we give our confidence that laws are not against you. Make sure to read the site’s rules though, as they only may allow you to wager on horses instead of betting sports.
Kentucky Sports Betting FAQ's
Are Online Sportsbooks Safe To Use If You Live Kentucky?
Using a licensed offshore sportsbook is as safe as the Kentucky Wildcats making the NCAA Tournament. They not only encrypt your data on every transaction and wager, but they also refuse to release your information. Kentucky players have been using these sites for legal betting for decades with no problems.
My Credit Card Didn’t Process, What Now?
This will happen as a federal law known as UIGEA puts minor restrictions on the use of credit cards and offshore bookmakers. Visit a Kroger or Walmart to purchase an international prepaid gift card, which will process without any problems. With over 200 of those stores in the Kentucky area, you will not have to venture far to get started.
How Can I Fund My Sports Betting Account In Kentucky?
There are a variety of methods to fund your account and each site is different so be sure to check their cashier page. If you have an account at Kentucky Bank or First Kentucky Bank, you can have them send a wire transfer for you, which may take a few days to process. You can also receive your winnings this way as well.
Do Kentucky Sports Betting Sites Have Odds On Football?
Not only do they have odds on football, but they have odds on sporting events from all around the world. Imagine any team you can think of and online betting sites will offer some action on it. Not a fan of the Wildcats? Betting sites offer lines on Northern, Eastern, and Western Kentucky as well as Louisville, Morehead State, and Murray State.
Can I Bet From My Mobile Phone In Kentucky?
Betting on your phone is made easy with online betting sites. None of them require an app to download – just visit their sites from your phone or tablet. You can even be in the Appalachian Mountains making bets! As long as your phone can receive and send internet signals, you can wager on the go from anywhere in the country.
Is Live Betting Available With Online Kentucky Sportsbooks?
Every site that is reputable and has mobile betting with also feature a live betting section. What happens when Louisville goes down 18 to Marquette in basketball with 5:44 left? Well in 2011, you should have bet on Louisville hard because they came back to win thanks to a 24-5 run to end the game. Now, this doesn’t happen often, but live betting will let you embrace more likely betting outcomes at any point during the game with any reputable Kentucky betting site.
How Many Kentucky Sportsbooks Can I Sign Up For?
You can sign up for as many as you want until you’re tired of accepting promotions, welcoming bonuses, and opportunities to win some money. Kentucky players are recommended to join multiple because you have the ability to see the betting lines being offered across different platforms. Betting on Kentucky to win the NCAA Tournament may pay out much greater on one site compared to another. This is called shopping lines – be sure to take advantages of these situations.
How Many Bonuses Can I Redeem With An Offshore Sportsbook?
Sites will have different terms and conditions regarding their bonuses but nearly every legitimate sports betting site offers a welcoming bonus. On top of that, you can enter into rewards programs that move the line or adjust the juice for free. Sportsbooks may reward you with additional deposit bonuses or offer risk-free wagers if you use your mobile phone. There are a variety of sportsbook bonuses and promotions – some can only be used once – so be sure to scan their site before making your first deposit.
Betting On Horse Racing In Kentucky
If you have to ask if horse racing betting is legal in Kentucky, you must be a real beginner in the gambling industry. But that’s okay if you are! Betting on horses, also known as pari-mutuel wagering, is legal in Kentucky as is overseen and regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The laws are quite lenient in Kentucky when it comes to the ponies and the only real crime, a Class A misdemeanor at that, is accepting anything of value (as a business) in attempts to offer betting lines. In short, as long as you are using a regulated and licensed horse track, you will not run into problems.
Kentucky has quite the number of tracks but it is mainly known for Churchill Downs, which was inaugurated in 1875 and hosts many Breeders Cup Events. It is also known for being home to the Kentucky Derby, which is the first leg of the Triple Crown. Here, a purse of up to $3 million is sought after by three-year-old Thoroughbreds and their owners, where the winner takes home nearly two-thirds of the prize. Meanwhile, the spectators are enjoying placing their wagers in a manner, which is not technically considered gambling due to the fact that “house doesn’t win”.
The Status Of Daily Fantasy Sports In Kentucky
Kentucky holds an interesting position when it comes to daily fantasy sports. The state does not regulate the industry nor do they find it legal. However, they also don’t outlaw it, which has made nearly every operator continue to offer the game for Kentucky residents. Without the regulations, there are no limitations and players are able to join paid or unpaid contests no matter the prize amount or number of players.
The state has attempted to legalize, regulate, and ultimately tax the industry in the past over the course of a few years. The most recent bill was 2019 KY HB 175 which would have established definitions in the KRS and imposed a mandatory account of records for players.