Online sports betting got rolling in Kentucky on September 28, 2023. The legal framework was established when Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 558 into law in late March 2023.
The Bluegrass State hosts eight online sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, ESPN BET, bet365, Circa, and Fanatics. Based on our ratings, FanDuel, Caesars, and bet365 are the best options.
Next, I'll discuss what you need to know about sports betting in Kentucky, including a list of the available sportsbooks, their sign-up bonuses, and everything else you need to know.
List of All Kentucky Sportsbooks
Right now, eight betting apps are active in Kentucky.
Since each of the state's nine licensed horse racing tracks can partner with up to three online sportsbooks, there could eventually be as many as 27 different Kentucky sportsbooks.
Here's a quick look at what each top sportsbook does best:
- FanDuel: Best Overall Kentucky Sportsbook
- Caesars: Best Loyalty Program Among KY Betting Sites
- bet365: Best Odds Boosts at Kentucky Sportsbook
- BetMGM: Best Sportsbook Features in Kentucky
- DraftKings: Best Promotions at KY Sportsbooks
- Fanatics: Fastest KY Betting App
- ESPN BET: Best Odds for Football Betting in KY
- Circa: Best Odds for Football Betting in KY
A quick heads-up: While you can legally bet at 18 in Kentucky, many sportsbooks set the bar at 21 and up. Only bet365 and DraftKings accept players who are 18 years old; other KY online sportsbooks enforce a 21+ age limit.
1) FanDuel: Best Kentucky Sportsbook for Live Betting
FanDuel entered the Kentucky sports betting market by partnering with Churchill Downs Inc., specifically with Turfway Park Racing, one of CDI's three tracks. This multi-year deal gives FanDuel various betting rights and makes it a sponsor of the iconic Kentucky Derby.
FanDuel is excellent across the board, but their live betting platform hits the spot for me. It checks off everything you’d want for live betting: competitive in-play odds, a wide variety of live betting options, and high-quality live streaming. Plus, FanDuel recently rolled out a new micro-betting feature called Pulse, adding extra action to in-game betting.
FanDuel also offers the best odds (meaning you win more), a slick user experience, and cool seasonal props—such as bets on whether an NFL team will sweep the season at 17-0 or go winless at 0-17.
On the downside, FanDuel quickly limits the betting amounts for successful bettors. Also, there aren't as many odds boosts compared to competitors like bet365 and Caesars.
FanDuel Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 94/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 Bonus If Your Bet Wins
- Best Features: Odds competitiveness, market variety
- Biggest Drawbacks: No sportsbook rewards program, not many daily odds boosts
- Number of Sports: 21+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days (typically faster)
- Rewards Program: DFS & Casino only
Check out my full FanDuel Sportsbook review for a more in-depth look at the platform.
2) Caesars: Best Loyalty Program Among KY Betting Sites
Caesars has secured a license to offer sports betting in Kentucky through a partnership with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming & Racing. This deal allows Caesars to run an online sportsbook and set up two retail betting spots at these iconic racetracks.
My favorite part about Caesars is the Caesars Rewards loyalty program, which is widely considered the best around. You can win online perks and various benefits at its land-based properties, like hotel stays, dining, and shopping options. While Caesars doesn't have a retail spot directly in Kentucky, it's just a short hop away in neighboring states like Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.
Caesars generally goes all out for player incentives and often offers the best bonuses of all Kentucky sportsbooks. I'm a big fan of their referral program, which gives you up to $100 for each friend you bring on board. Also, their reputation for having the most user-friendly betting app precedes them.
Caesars could work on speeding up their payout processing and getting their betting lines out quicker.
Caesars Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 93/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $1, Get 2x Winnings on Next 20 Bets
- Best Features: Loyalty program, user-friendly UX
- Biggest Drawbacks: Slower payout speeds, sluggish customer service
- Number of Sports: 23+
- Payout Speed: Up to 72 hours
- Rewards Program: Caesars Rewards
Check out my full Caesars Sportsbook review for a more in-depth look at the platform.
3) bet365: Best Odds Boosts at Kentucky Sportsbooks
bet365 has teamed up with Sandy's Racing & Gaming for market access in Kentucky.
bet365 offers the most daily odds boosts of any online sportsbook in Kentucky. On any given day, you can find 3 to 5 boosts for almost each sport they offer. They even supercharge odds for niche sports like cricket and lacrosse.
Another strong point for bet365 is its rich market variety. They cover an impressive 26 sports and offer many alternative lines for various bet types. Plus, bet365 has the most extensive lineup of futures bets among Kentucky sportsbooks. You’ll find unique options like betting on which NBA player will collect the most rebounds on a given day.
bet365 isn’t without its drawbacks. Their NHL prop odds can be uncompetitive, though their odds are great otherwise. Having to log in to see parlay odds is also annoying since it is just an extra step when shopping for the best odds.
bet365 Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 89/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: $1,000 First bet safety net or bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets
- Best Features: Auto Cash Out, insane number of odds boosts, early payout promos
- Biggest Drawbacks: Subpar prop odds, no sportsbook rewards program
- Number of Sports: 26+
- Payout Speed: Up to 24 hours
- Rewards Program: None
Check out my full bet365 Sportsbook review for a more in-depth look at the platform.
4) BetMGM: Best Sportsbook Features in Kentucky
BetMGM broke into the Kentucky sports betting market via a deal with Revolutionary Racing KY, which owns Sandy’s Racing and Gaming. They plan to open a 5,200-square-foot betting facility at Sandy’s in Ashland.
BetMGM is arguably the most innovative sportsbook in Kentucky. In addition to their regular cashback feature, they offer an advanced option called Auto Cashout. This lets bettors set up the system to automatically cash out when winnings reach a certain level. Their flagship Edit My Bet feature is also handy, allowing players to modify running bets on the fly—whether it's changing stakes, swapping legs, or removing selections altogether.
BetMGM features a rich betting lineup, and I'm a big fan of their Signature Bets props. They handle withdrawals quickly and offer great promotions, like the MGM Rewards, one of the best loyalty programs out there. Their NFL rewards program is another huge draw during football season, and I always join in.
On the downside, BetMGM could improve its user experience and simplify some functional quirks. Switching between apps sometimes takes longer, and occasionally, you have to click twice for a function to respond.
BetMGM Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 84/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets
- Best Features: Edit My Bet, NFL rewards
- Biggest Drawbacks: Quickly limits sharps, UX can be a bit buggy
- Number of Sports: 19+
- Payout Speed: Up to 24 hours
- Rewards Program: MGM Rewards
Check out my full BetMGM Sportsbook review for a more in-depth look at the platform.
5) DraftKings Sportsbook: Best Promotions at KY Sportsbooks
DraftKings made its way into Kentucky by teaming up with ECL Corbin. This partnership allows them to offer online sports betting and set up retail sportsbook operations at The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland in Williamsburg and Cumberland Run in Corbin.
I always keep DraftKings in my betting mix because their promotions are top-notch. They're one of the few Kentucky sportsbooks that offer freerolls, like jackpot pools, which are free to enter and can have prize pools of $10k or more. They also have a great referral program and frequently offer Same Game Parlay (SGP) insurance promos.
Additionally, DraftKings boasts an incredible variety of prop bets, with head-to-head player props being my favorite. They're a fantastic choice for NFL betting, especially since they offer -120 odds on 2-team, 6-point teasers, providing excellent value compared to many books that now set odds at -130 or shorter.
The biggest downside of DK is that their odds often aren't competitive. While they'll offer the best deal for a certain market from time to time, on average, they charge more vig than other books.
DraftKings Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 84/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets + $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- Best Features: Market depth, profit boost tokens
- Biggest Drawbacks: Odds not always competitive, quickly limit winners
- Number of Sports: 25+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days
- Rewards Program: Dynasty Rewards
Check out my full DraftKings Sportsbook review for a more in-depth look at the platform.
6) Fanatics Sportsbook: Fastest KY Betting App
Fanatics secured entry into the Kentucky betting market by partnering with Oak Grove Racing.
Fanatics is one of the most responsive sportsbooks in Kentucky. This isn’t surprising since they secured a license to use PointsBet's tech platform, known for its speedy performance.
One of Fanatics' unique selling points is their FanCash rewards system, a continuous cashback program that returns a portion of stakes to players, regardless of whether their bets win or lose. They also offer excellent odds and provide a high-quality live-streaming service.
Fanatics could benefit from adding more sports to their lineup. Also, it would be great if they created a desktop platform to complement their mobile offerings.
Fanatics Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 81/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet & Get Up to $2k in FanCash
- Best Features: Valuable sign-up bonus, competitive prop odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Confusing interface, no desktop site, quick to limit winners
- Number of Sports: 15
- Payout Speed: Up to 3 business days
- Rewards Program: FanCash Rewards
Check out our Fanatics Sportsbook review to learn more.
7) ESPN BET: Best Odds for Football Betting in KY
ESPN BET entered the Kentucky sports betting market by partnering with Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
ESPN BET is a top choice for football betting because it often has the lowest vig for college football and NFL markets. Only FanDuel comes close to matching these.
I like the diverse betting options at ESPN BET. They cover 20 sports and offer some unique bets. For example, you can bet on whether an NFL player will fail to score a touchdown or the maximum consecutive points a team might score.
However, the site could stand some improvements in functionality, especially in terms of speed, which can sometimes let you down.
ESPN BET Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 73/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $10, get $100 in bonus bets
- Best Features: Sports variety, competitive pre-game odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Subpar user experience, not many features
- Number of Sports: 20+
- Payout Speed: 1 to 5 banking days
- Rewards Program: PENN Play Program
Check out our ESPN BET Sportsbook review to learn more.
8) Circa: Best Odds for Football Betting in KY
Circa is a Las Vegas-based sportsbook that's made its mark in several states. They launched their online app in Kentucky through a partnership with Cumberland Run.
Kentucky Sports Betting Quick Facts
Online sportsbooks | 3 |
Max number of betting apps per law | 27 |
Retail sports betting | Yes |
Legalization date | March, 2023 |
Launch date | September 28, 2023 |
State regulator | |
College betting | Yes |
Esports betting | Yes |
Prohibited betting markets | None |
Min age for registration | 18 |
Payment method exclusions | None |
Tax rate on operators | 9.75% (in person), 14.25% (online) |
Online registration allowed | Yes |
Online casinos | No |
List of Retail Sportsbooks In Kentucky
Kentucky has nine license holders eligible to offer in-person sports betting. Here's a brief overview of each location and the brands operating their sportsbooks.
BetMGM Sportsbook at Sandy's Racing & Gaming
BetMGM plans to open a 5,200-square-foot betting facility at Sandy’s in Ashland soon.
Address: 10699 U.S. 60 Ashland, KY 41102
Caesars Sportsbook at Red Mile Racetrack
Caesars Sportsbook operates the betting shop at Red Mile Racetrack.
Address: 1200 Red Mile Rd., Lexington, KY 40504
Circa Sports at Cumberland Run (Corbin)
Circa Sports runs the sportsbook at Cumberland Run in Corbin.
Address: 777 Winners Lane, Corbin, KY 40701
DraftKings Sportsbook at Cumberland Run (Corbin)
DraftKings Sportsbook operates one of its two Kentucky retail sportsbooks in Corbin.
Address: 1200 Red Mile Rd., Lexington, KY 40504
DraftKings Sportsbook at Cumberland Run (Williamsburg)
This is the second location where DraftKings operates a brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
Address: 244 Penny Ln, Williamsburg, KY 40769
Churchill Downs Race & Sports Book
Churchill Downs is partnered with FanDuel but has not yet set up a betting shop.
Address: 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Turfway Park Racing and Gaming
Turfway Park Racing and Gaming operates its sportsbook without a partnership with any online brand.
Address: 7500 Turfway Rd, Florence, KY 41042
Derby City Race & Gaming
Derby City Race & Gaming also runs its sportsbook independently, facilitating in-person sports betting without an online brand partnership.
Address: 4520 Poplar Level Rd, Louisville, KY 40213
Oak Grove Race & Sportsbook
Oak Grove Race & Sportsbook has partnered with Fanatics but hasn't launched a retail book yet.
Address: 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has partnered with ESPN BET but hasn’t launched a retail sportsbook yet.
Address: 3300 US Hwy 41 N, Henderson, KY 42420
Newport Racing & Gaming
Newport Racing & Gaming runs an in-house sportsbook and isn’t partnered with major online brands.
Address: 1723 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071
Kentucky Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?
Yes, both online and retail sports betting are legal in Kentucky.
What is the best online sportsbook in Kentucky?
Kentucky's top five online sportsbooks are FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings.
Which sportsbook in Kentucky has the best odds?
Our comprehensive market analysis shows that FanDuel offers the best odds in Kentucky.
How old do I have to be to bet at Kentucky sportsbooks?
You must be 21 years old to bet at sportsbooks in Kentucky.
Do I have to be a resident of Kentucky to bet?
No, you do not need to be a resident of Kentucky to place bets, but you must be within state lines while submitting a wager.
When did Kentucky online sportsbooks launch?
Online sportsbooks launched in Kentucky in September 2023.
Is esports betting legal in Kentucky?
Yes, esports betting is legal in Kentucky.
Is college betting legal in Kentucky?
Yes, betting on college sports is legal in Kentucky without any restrictions. You can bet on local college teams like Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats.
Are there physical sportsbooks in Kentucky?
Yes, there are physical sportsbooks at various racetracks and other venues in Kentucky.
Do I have to pay taxes if I win a sports bet in Kentucky?
Yes, sports betting winnings in Kentucky are subject to taxes. Both federal (24%) and state (5%) taxes apply.
Are offshore sportsbooks legal in Kentucky?
No, offshore sportsbooks like Bovada are not legal in Kentucky.
