Legal Sports Betting For Kentucky Residents

When it comes to the statutes regarding legal sports betting in Kentucky, we found that there are some lines of text that contend with sports betting, though it only seems to deal with the operation of bookmaking in a brick and mortar business, not offshore sportsbooks. More importantly, there is a line of text that says status as a player - which "means a person who engages in any form of gambling solely as a contestant or bettor, without receiving or becoming entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal gambling winnings" - is actually protected under the law. Holding status of a player, according to the law, is a defense against any prosecution related to the gambling laws in the state. Therefore, we can safely conclude that online sports betting is in fact lega is, in fact, legal in Kentucky.

Can We Now Legally Bet On Sports In Kentucky?

With the repeal of PASPA, sports enthusiasts in the state naturally want to know if this means sports betting is legal in Kentucky. Fortunately for residents, the state is taking the necessary steps toward legalizing sports gambling. Several bills have been introduced in Kentucky that are hoping to legalize state-based sports betting. Once these bills pass, brick-and-motor options will become available. In the meantime, residents can use reputable online sportsbooks like Bovada and BetOnline to bet on the Kentucky Wildcats and other popular teams.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?

If you live in Kentucky, you should feel safe placing sports bets on the Internet. Because you don’t have any other opportunity within state lines to bet on sports, Internet sports wagering is your only option, unless you plan a long trip to Vegas, Atlantic City, Tunica, or another state with brick and mortar sportsbooks. Because Internet sports betting sites can be accessed from the comfort of your home computer, going out of your way to look for land-based sports wagering in Las Vegas, for instance, just doesn’t make sense for a citizen of Kentucky.

Sports Betting Laws in Kentucky

With several sports betting bills in the mix, state-licensed internet sports betting could be in the mix. But, because there are no Kentucky laws against placing bets over the internet in general, placing your bets on an online offshore sportsbook remains perfectly legal. Even after Kentucky passes sports betting bills, online offshore sportsbooks are still probably going to be your best option to place your bets.

Will I Go to Jail for Online Sports Betting in Kentucky?

Law enforcement from the Bluegrass State has never arrested anyone for any crime related to online gambling, not on slot machines, table games, or sporting events. No one in Kentucky has ever been prosecuted for betting online. Kentucky is not one of the states with specific language related to Internet betting in their penal code. Kentucky residents shouldn't fear any state or federal law enforcement agency when they place a bet at an Internet sportsbook.

Legal Sports Betting Sites For Kentucky Residents
Bovada Sportsbook
50% Up To $250 On First Deposit
All States ex. NY, NJ, NV, DE, MD

We came to Bovada for our wagering, and we are sure that you will find this to be one of the finer sportsbooks around. They provide their players with a fairly wide set of options for betting, including major professional sports, NCAA sports, NASCAR, cycling and more. If you want a break from sports, know that you also have the option of wagering on entertainment and political bets. Bovada has a made it fairly easy to fund an account, giving players access by way of Bitcoin, VISA, and Mastercard. Bovada gives their users access to a 50% to $250 match bonus, only limited by how much you can afford to deposit. We recommend Bovada above nearly any other betting site, and this has been the home of our betting for many years.

BetOnline Sportsbook
Unlimited 50% To $1,000
All States - ex NJ, NV, NY

Whether you are an amateur bettor or attempting to be a professional, BetOnline will provide you with one of the easier ways to wager. When it comes to betting on sports, BetOnline has focused heavily on solely offering betting odds on sports rather than also hosting odds on alternative events, such as political, celebrity and entertainment propositions. BetOnline will help their amateur players by offering a 50% match to $1,000 (code BOL1000), while professional players can take advantage of the high limits that they offer on their bets. BetOnline has given their users a fairly far-reaching range of funding options, including Bitcoin, VISA and wire transfers. This has made it easy enough to get your account rolling, and you should not have any trouble building up a significant bankroll.

MyBookie Sportsbook
50% to $1,000 Welcome Bonus
All States - ex NJ, NV, NY

There are so many sportsbooks for players to choose from and this meant that they will look for very specific details to see which sportsbook is better than others. MyBookie is one of the few sportsbooks that have all of what players are looking for. There are plenty of new features here like live betting and mobile betting that players can use that will help them win more money all the time. With all of these different features and the bonuses here for players to choose from, Mybookie is clearly one of the bettor sportsbooks for Kentucky residents.

Best Sports Betting Sites For Kentucky Players
  • LEGAL SPORTS BETTING
  • USA?
  • SPORTSBOOK BONUS OFFERS
  • MOBILE?
  • GET STARTED
Do Federal Laws Restrict Sports Betting in Kentucky?

For decades, PASPA was the most significant federal law that impacted sports betting in Kentucky and the U.S. as a whole. It stands for the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, a federal that was passed to ban sports gambling in the United States in 1992. The good news for sports fans in Kentucky is that the law was overturned in 2018, opening the door for widespread sports betting regulation across the United States. Many states across the country have legalized sports betting or on the path to doing so, Kentucky included.

The only active federal law that mentions the act of sports betting is the Federal Wire Act. This law was passed back in the early 60’s and it banned the use of wire communication in regards to sports bets. The Wire Act has been interpreted to include the internet, but it is entirely toothless. The online offshore sportsbooks we often recommend are outside of U.S. jurisdiction and they are 100% legal for you to use.

How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet On Sports in Kentucky?

You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in the great state of Kentucky. Even if you are signing up with a site that allows 18-year-olds to place bets, we still suggest that you wait until you are 21 to avoid any possible trouble.

Do They Offer Mobile Betting in Kentucky?

You bet they do! Every site that we have discussed on this page offers players a mobile version of their site that allows players to bet using their cell phone, tablet, or whatever mobile device that has internet access they have. You will even find bonuses that are offered just for using the mobile option. It doesn’t get any easier to bet on sports than to do so while using your mobile device.

Sports Betting FAQ for Kentucky

Can Kentucky Citizens Gamble on Sports at In-State Casinos?

No. Kentucky residents are not able to gamble on sports at in-state casinos for several reasons. For one, the state does not offer any land-based casino action. Furthermore, sports betting has not been legalized in Kentucky, which means state-licensed sportsbooks are not possible at this time. Lawmakers will need to legalize both types of gambling before residents can visit a local sportsbook at a casino.

What Should a Resident of Kentucky Look for in an Online Sportsbook?

Online sports betting sites compete for your bankroll through promotions and betting variety, so hunt down the most lucrative bonuses and sites that let you bet on your favorite teams and sports.

What Are The Fees Associated With Kentucky Sportsbooks?

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are known for not having fees, while checks can set you back about $50. It really depends on which payment method you are using.

College Teams In Kentucky To Bet On

There aren’t any professional sports teams in the state of Kentucky but they sure make up for it with their collegiate athletic programs. The Kentucky Wildcats have one of the most successful college basketball programs in history and are one of the most wagered upon teams in the country. Kentucky also hosts the Louisville Cardinals, who have had success in a number of sports, and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who have enjoyed some new football success recently. You can find odds on each of these teams at legal Kentucky sports betting sites.