Excitement is building ahead of the launch of legal sports betting in the Bluegrass State. But one question that has come up repeatedly since KY lawmakers announced changes to state gambling laws concerns the Kentucky gambling age.
So, to clear up any confusion you may have, this guide will cover KY’s new gambling laws in detail, including the Kentucky gambling age. We’ve also included mini reviews for some sportsbooks that we recommend you take a look at ahead of their official online launch date of 28 September.
According to Kentucky’s sports betting legislation, the gambling age in KY is 18, meaning that sports bettors must be 18 or over to bet on sports in the Bluegrass state. This age limit applies whether you want to place a bet in a bricks-and-mortar retail outlet, or via a newly licensed online sportsbook. However, it is worth noting that some operators insist that anyone who signs up is aged 21 years, or older.
Is gambling legal in Kentucky?
For months, searches that ask “is gambling legal in Kentucky?” have skyrocketed, triggered by the announcement of changes to the state’s approach to legal sports betting. So, in answer to this question: yes, gambling is now legal in Kentucky, though only at licensed physical sportsbook retailers until 28 September.
Following months of preparations, legal sports betting in Kentucky officially launched on September 7, 2023. This is only for brick-and-mortar sports betting outlets, however, with online and app-based gambling held back for an additional three weeks until 28 September.
It’s important to note that KY lawmakers haven’t legalized
all
gambling, so the changes apply to sports betting only, meaning that real-money online casinos are still a no-go zone in the Bluegrass State.
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Are these Kentucky’s best sports betting sites?
DraftKings – Ready to accept KY sports bets
Pros and cons of DraftKings
$200 bonus bets up for grabs
Outstanding reputation
Transparent bonus T&Cs
Limited payment options
DraftKings is already established as one of the foremost legal sports betting sites in the US, so it makes sense that the operator was at the front of the queue for the launch of Kentucky’s new sports betting market. In case reputation alone doesn’t get customers through its doors, DraftKings does have a nice pre-launch offer in place, with $200 in bonus bets up for grabs and ready to use when DraftKings KY officially goes live.
Sports Bonus
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DraftKings Highlights
Great range of different sports leagues
Optimal in-play betting features
Easy to use app with fast payouts
BetMGM – Big-name sports betting comes to the Bluegrass State
Pros and cons of BetMGM
Customer support at BetMGM could be better
$100 in bonus bets on site launch day
Huge choice of sports betting markets
Intuitive registration process
Pros and cons of BetMGM
Endorsed by Jamie Foxx and featuring an impossibly vast range of sports markets – BetMGM is without doubt one of the biggest sports betting operators in the US. Pre-register for a BetMGM Kentucky account before the site officially goes live and you’ll receive $100 in bonus bets on launch day. Registering for a BetMGM account in KY is a super-easy three-step process.
Sports Bonus
4.6/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Welcome Bonus
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BetMGM Highlights
Great moneyline odds
Superior betting markets
Vast selection of betting options
FanDuel – Exclusive rewards from one of the best in the business
Pros and cons of FanDuel
$100 in bonus bets + $100 NFL Sunday Ticket
Powerful site and mobile betting app
Tons of sports markets and betting lines
Less competitive odds for top US sports
NFL fan? Then you’ll love what’s coming over at FanDuel Kentucky. Not only is FanDuel considered one of the most progressive, forward-thinking sportsbooks on the market, but it’s also got an ace up its sleeve for getting bettors through its virtual doors as soon as they open. That includes a $100 in free bets on launch day, along with an additional NFL Sunday Ticket voucher worth up to $100. Of course, this offer applies to new customers only, and you have until 11:59 PM EST on 27 September to claim the pre-launch bonus.
Sports Bonus
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+ 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
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FanDuel Highlights
User-friendly mobile app & website
Low cost spreads
Highly competitive odds
Fanatics – A new approach from a sporting powerhouse
Pros and cons of Fanatics: Pros & Cons
All-American brand with established coverage
Solid navigation and site performance
Betting software powered by Amelco
The Fanatics sportsbook remains untested
You may not have heard of Fanatics, as it’s a brand that began its life in the North American sports merchandising market. But make no mistake: this is a serious contender in the arena of
online sports betting in Kentucky
and one that’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for an alternative sportsbook destination. With coverage in Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Tennessee, Fanatics has already proven its value as a reputable, all-American operation.
Sports Bonus
4.5/5
Bet $100, Get $100 in Bonus Bets Every Day for 10 Days!
Welcome Bonus
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Fanatics Highlights
Odds boosts
Same game parlays
Competitive betting odds
Caesars – No introduction needed to this big-name sportsbook
Pros and cons of Caesars
Household name with an excellent reputation
Neat bonus bet system for new Kentucky players
Massive range of sports markets
Lacks some niche sports and leagues
Caesars is already a household name across the US, so sports bettors in Kentucky should need little introduction to what this operator is all about. Sign up for a Caesers Kentucky account before the pre-launch offer deadline on September 27 and you’ll receive a $25 bonus bet, plus an additional $25 bet each Monday for the following three weeks (totaling $100 in bonus bets overall). Need we say more?
Leading sports betting site with an outstanding reputation
Tons of in-play betting options
Slightly longer payouts than comparable operators
Bet365 is almost ready to go in the Bluegrass State and to celebrate, the site is giving new customers the chance to participate in a thrill-a-minute NFL bonus. Sign up before the pre-launch bonus deadline of 27 September and you can receive $10 per touchdown on a nominated NFL game of your choice, up to the value of $50. This exciting promotion is all part of Bet365’s new Kentucky sportsbook offering, which is set to launch on September 28, 2023.
Sports Bonus
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Welcome Bonus
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Bet now
Bet365 Highlights
Massive range of sports betting markets
Quick withdrawals
Smooth app to navigate
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Kentucky sportsbook
New player promotion
DraftKings
$200 worth of free bonus bets
BetMGM
$100 worth of free bonus bets
FanDuel
$100 in bonus bets + $100 NFL Sunday Ticket
Fanatics
We’ll update this section when we know more.
Caesars
$100 worth of free bonus bets
Bet365
$10 per touchdown bonus on nominated NFL game, up to the value of $50
Green light on Kentucky sports bettors aged 18+
Now that we’ve established the legal Kentucky gambling age and shone a light on some of the awesome sportsbooks coming to the Bluegrass State, all that’s left to do now is sit back and wait patiently for online sports betting in Kentucky to officially go live. In the meantime, be sure to check back with Ballislife.com for regular updates on all the latest Kentucky gambling news.
Our favorite sports betting bonuses for December 2024
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In order to place sports bets in Kentucky, players need to be 18 or over to register with an online sportsbook, although some operators require yo to be at least 21 years to sign up. You can learn more about the legal requirements of sports betting in Kentucky in our latest guides.
⚖️Is gambling legal in Kentucky?
As of 2023, Kentucky lawmakers have made the decision to legalize licensed sports betting in the Bluegrass State. Players over 18 can now bet on a choice of sports, teams, and leagues, provided they do so via a licensed sportsbook operator.
🏆What are the best legal sportsbooks coming to Kentucky?
From Bet365 to FanDuel, operators are queuing up ready to launch their online sportsbook offerings in Kentucky, so bettors will have plenty of fantastic sites to choose from. Our guide covers six of the best sites where you can legally bet on your favorite sports in Kentucky.
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
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