Kentucky Sports Betting — Best Sportsbooks and Apps | Outkick

Kentucky sports betting has been live since March 31, 2023, when House Bill 551 was signed into law. Sept. 28, 2023, marked the start of online operators launching in Kentucky. It is governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. There are nine online sportsbooks for Kentucky residents to choose from. 

Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Kentucky and governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. Online operations launched in September 2023. Sports betting in Kentucky is legal for anyone over the age of 21.

Best Kentucky Sportsbooks and Betting Apps

With so many great options for sports betting in Kentucky, it can be a challenge to figure out which sportsbook is best. Below we’ve assembled a list of some of the most popular sportsbooks in Kentucky. Take a look below and see what are some of the reasons you might like each book, and what are some potential drawbacks. 

FanDuel Sportsbook Kentucky

• FanDuel Sportsbook provides users with a lightning-fast app with a clean layout and easy navigation.
• Kentucky sports bettors will like FanDuel’s reliable and quick withdrawals, with limited delays in receiving their money.
• FanDuel Sportsbook provides streaming options for users to watch and monitor live events and simultaneously wager on them.
• One of the best things about the app is that the odds for player props are competitive, often having better numbers than other books.
• There is no real loyalty program for users, so it is like using a credit card without getting any points or cash back.

BetMGM Sportsbook Kentucky

• BetMGM Sportsbook is one of the most competitive books around, with lines that often are excellent for the big four sports.
• One of the features they offer that others don’t is the Edit My Bet feature, which allows you to alter your wager after you place it.
• If you can bet on it, you probably can find a line for it at BetMGM.
• This is one of the slower-loading apps on the market and can be clunky at times, especially during bigger or more popular games.

bet365 Sportsbook Kentucky

• No one likes going up big only to see a back-door cover, bet365 helps mitigate that by offering early payout promotions.
• The international markets and lines provide bet365 users with plenty of options, some not found anywhere else.
• Bet365 offers users a lot of parlay boosts, providing them with even better odds.
• Bonus bets are often provided as a fund rather than a token, so you can divide up your bet365 bets on multiple wagers.
• Winners sometimes report limited wagers on the bet365 app, making it hard to place bigger wagers.

Fanatics Sportsbook Kentucky

• Fanatics Sportsbook is one of the best mobile apps and focuses on the user experience more than anything.
• Fair Play is offered to users of Fanatics Sportsbook so that if a player gets injured early in the game, wagers are refunded.
• There are low withdrawal minimums and fast payouts, allowing users to feel confident with Fanatics Sportsbook.
• The search function on Fanatics Sports is one of the best in the industry, making betting easy.
• Getting to a real customer service agent can be very difficult if you have a dispute or problem on Fanatics Sportsbook.

theScore Bet Kentucky

• theScore Bet interacts directly with its media arm, so constant statistics and news updates help you make informed wagers.
• There are great live betting options on theScore Bet with quickly refreshing live markets.
• PENN Play Rewards back each wager so you can earn points to use on bonus bets or perks at PENN casinos.
• There are often delays when trying to navigate through the app or backing out of different categories.

Kentucky Sportsbook Welcome Offers

Welcome offers are provided to new users in Kentucky, with the most common being profit boosts, bet-and-get models, or deposit matches. A profit boost bet is offered to new users, where users can often double their winnings if their wager wins. A bet-and-get system is where a bettor can place a small-value wager, often as low as $5, and receive bonus funds as a reward. Deposit matches try to build your bankroll immediately. You deposit an amount, and the sportsbook provides you with an equal or fraction of the amount you deposited. 

How to Sign Up for a Sportsbook in Kentucky

1. Download the Kentucky sportsbook app of your choice.
2. Enter your personal information.
3. Go through account verification and location checks.
4. Deposit funds into your account.
5. Claim the welcome offer. Note: This step may be completed during the sign-up process.
6. Place your first wager. (You must be within the state limits to wager, and note that being by the border of a state could fail the geolocation check).

Kentucky Sports Betting Laws and Timeline

Sports betting has been legal since 2023 in Kentucky when Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 into law. In August, licenses were approved, and books were open in September 2023. New regulations and rules were passed in April 2026 to raise the minimum legal age to 21, and place restrictions on in-state college props. 

Teams and Markets to Bet On in Kentucky

Kentucky has Louisville City FC playing in the United Soccer League, playing out of Lynn Family Stadium out of Louisville. They have a sister club with Racing Louisville FC, who play in the National Women’s Soccer League. It also has plenty of college teams that you can wager on. They have the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, and some smaller schools like Murray State and Morehead State. 

College Sports Betting Rules in Kentucky

Kentucky does allow sports betting on college sports; however, there are some regulations to be aware of. You can bet on in-state teams, but you cannot place a wager on a player prop for any Kentucky in-state college. 

Retail Sportsbooks in Kentucky

There are 12 physical locations to wager on sports in Kentucky, with most of them inside casinos and racetracks.

Licensed Retail Locations:

Churchill Downs (Kambi) – Louisville

Derby City Gaming & Hotel (FanDuel Sportsbook) – Louisville

Derby City Gaming Downtown (Kambi) – Louisville

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming (PENN Sportsbook) – Henderson

Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel (Fanatics Sportsbook) – Oak Grove

Sandy’s Racing & Gaming (BetMGM Sportsbook) – Ashland

The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs (Circa Sports) – Franklin

The Mint Gaming Hall (Circa Sports) – Bowling Green

The Red Mile (Caesars Sportsbook) – Lexington

Turfway Park Racing & Gaming (Kambi) – Florence

Responsible Gambling Resources in Kentucky

• 1-800-GAMBLER
• 1-800-MY-RESET
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Gam-Anon and Gamblers Anonymous
• Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling – 502-223-1823

Kentucky Sports Betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?

Yes, sports betting is legal and has been live since September 2023. 

What is the best sportsbook in Kentucky?

The best sportsbook in Kentucky is up to the user to decide. You can use any and all sportsbooks with no restriction to how many you try. Explore each option and see which you like best. 

How old do you have to be to bet in Kentucky?

You must be 21 years old to wager on sports in Kentucky; this has changed from 18 after legislation passed in 2026. 

Can you bet on college sports in Kentucky?

Yes, you can bet on college sports and player props in Kentucky, but you cannot wager on in-state college player props. 

Do you have to live in Kentucky to bet there?

You do not need to live in Kentucky to wager there, but you must be physically in the state when you place the wager. 

How many sportsbooks are legal in Kentucky?

There are nine online sportsbooks and 12 retail sportsbook locations in Kentucky. 

Can you bet on sports in Kentucky without an app?

Yes, you can visit one of many retail locations to place a wager. Most are located inside a casino or racetrack in Kentucky.