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Sports betting has been legal in Kentucky since March 31, 2023, and the first sportsbook launched on Sept. 28, 2023, both online and in person. Today, Kentucky has eight licensed online sportsbooks, offering mobile apps, retail sportsbooks, and ongoing promos.
In this guide, we’ll cover top sportsbooks, best promos, and key legal information.
Kentucky Sports Betting Overview
- 📆 Online Launch Date: September 28, 2023
- 📱Online Sportsbooks Available: 8
- 🏬 Retail Sports Betting: ✅Legal (racetracks, licensed retail locations)
- 🎂 Legal Betting Age: 18+
- 🏈 College Sports Betting: ✅No restrictions
- 🎰 Online Casinos: ❌ Not Legal
Is Kentucky Sports Betting Legal?
Yes. Kentucky legalized sports betting in March 2023 when HB 551 was signed into law. Retail sportsbooks opened on September 7, 2023, and online betting launched on September 28, 2023. Sports betting is regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. You can bet online or on mobile with licensed operators, and in person at approved venues such as racetracks and authorized retail locations.
College Sports Betting in KY: No Restrictions
Bettors can wager freely on in-state college teams like the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville, including player props.
Top Kentucky Sportsbook Apps Ranked & Reviewed
Kentucky’s online market is competitive, with several major national operators live statewide. While more sportsbooks may enter over time, this section focuses on the top five based on market share, app quality, promotions, and betting features.
DraftKings Kentucky
- Best known for: deep market depth, fast live pricing, and one of the most polished apps.
- DraftKings launched in Kentucky on September 28, 2023, and is a national market leader known for deep markets and fast live pricing
- Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets instantly, plus over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (847K+ ratings); live betting hub, SGPs, wide prop catalog
- Final take: choose DraftKings if you want the broadest menu and fast, reliable live markets on KY teams.
FanDuel Kentucky
- Best known for: the most intuitive Same Game Parlay builder and strong live markets.
- FanDuel went live in Kentucky on September 28, 2023, and is widely regarded as a top national operator with an intuitive app and strong same-game parlay tools.
- Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if your first bet wins. No code required.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (847K+ ratings); live betting hub, SGPs, wide prop catalog
- Final take: pick FanDuel if you value a slick app and elite parlay tools with instant payout previews.
BetMGM Kentucky
- Best known for: Frequent profit boosts and broad SGP options and MGM Rewards integration for hotel and resort perks.
- BetMGM launched its mobile sportsbook in Kentucky on September 28, 2023, and is a nationally recognized brand backed by MGM Resorts with broad market coverage
- Welcome offer: “First Bet Offer” up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses with promo code FOXSPORTS.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (~240K ratings); live betting, cash-out, wide sport coverage.
- Final take: if you value boosts and MGM Rewards status, BetMGM is a strong secondary book in KY even when a first-time promo isn’t running.
Fanatics Sportsbook Kentucky
- Best known for: FanCash rewards that convert to bonus bets or merchandise and steady football-season promos.
- Fanatics Sportsbook launched in Kentucky on September 28, 2023, and is quickly growing nationwide thanks to its FanCash rewards ecosystem.
- Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $50 in bonus bets if your first bet wins.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (138K+ ratings); clean UI, live betting, responsible gaming tooling.
- Final take: a great add for rewards hunters, especially during football season, with daily FanCash value.
Caesars Kentucky
- Best known for: daily “Super Boosts” and frequent promos and Caesars Rewards credits on eligible wagers.
- Caesars went live online in Kentucky on September 28, 2023, and is a prominent national book known for Caesars Rewards and frequent odds boosts.
- Welcome offer: Bet $1, get 20 tokens for 100% Profit Boosts (double your winnings) on subsequent bets
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.7/5 (89K+ ratings); SGPs, live betting, simplified navigation.
- Final take: if you want steady boosts and a national rewards program that ties into Vegas stays, Caesars is a solid rotation book in KY.
bet365 Kentucky
- Best known for: elite in-play betting, early-payout features, vast global menus, and very robust alternate totals/spreads.
- bet365 launched in Kentucky on September 28, 2023, and is globally respected for best-in-class live betting, streaming, and robust alternate lines.
- Welcome offer: choose Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets or a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (189K+ ratings); strong live betting hub with rapid markets and useful in-game stats.
- Final take: stands out for best-in-class live betting with fast odds updates, deep markets, and integrated live streaming that makes in-game wagering seamless.
All Legal KY Sportsbooks
- Bally Bet Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
Best KY Sportsbook Promos & Welcome Offers (September 2025)
New users in Kentucky can grab roughly $500–$650+ in combined value right now by stacking top deals. Claim the welcome promos first, then decide which app you like best for live betting, parlays, and props. Always check the in-app terms for eligibility, odds requirements, settlement timing, and expiry before placing your qualifying bet.
DraftKings KY Promo – Bet $5, Get $300 instantly in Bonus Bets, + $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket
Offer Summary:
Key Details:
- Minimum $5 deposit, the first placed wager of $5+ will be the qualifying wager.
- Consists of: once the bet settles, you will receive any cash winnings from your Qualifying Bet if it wins, and Bonus Bets will be issued as eight $25 Bonus Bets.
- Bonus bet expiration: seven (7) days (168 hours).
Standout Perk:
- Includes Sunday Ticket discount and flexible bonus usage.
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Sign up, deposit $5+, place a $5 wager on any market, and get bonus bets + NFL Sunday Ticket discount automatically.
FanDuel KY Promo – Bet $5, Win, Get $300 in Bonus Bets
Offer Summary:
- Bet $5, get $300 in Bonus Bets — auto-applied, no code necessary.
Key Details:
- Minimum $5 deposit, the first placed wager of $5+ will be the qualifying wager.
- Consists of: once the bet settles, you will receive $300 in Sportsbook Bonus Bets — only if your wager wins.
- Bonus bet expiration: seven (7) days.
Standout Perk:
- Includes Sportsbook Bonus Bets equal to Three Hundred Dollars ($300), and within 72 hours of winning bet settlement/
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Sign up, deposit $5+, place a $5 wager on any market, and get Bonus Bets.
BetMGM KY Promo – Up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets
Offer Summary:
Key Details:
- Minimum $10 deposit, the first placed wager of $10+ will be the qualifying wager.
- Consists of: Getting your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500 if your bet loses.
- Bonus bet expiration: seven (7) days.
Standout Perk:
- Includes Bonus Bets of up to $1,500 if your bet loses.
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Sign up, deposit $10+, use the First Bet Offer Token to wager on any game, and get Bonus Bets if the bet loses.
Fanatics KY Promo – Sign Up & Get 20+ $100 No Sweat Bets FanCash if Your Football Bet Loses EVERY Gameday
Offer Summary:
Key Details
- Minimum deposit of $1, and with odds of -500 or longer for 10 straight days.
- Consists of: Getting $100 in FanCash if the no-sweat bet on any football game day loses.
Standout Perk
- Includes $100 of FanCash if your bet loses.
Quick How-to-Claim
- Sign up, deposit $1+, place your first wager on any football game day, and get FanCash if the bet loses.
bet365 KY Promo – Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Offer Summary:
- New users can bet $5 and receive $200 in Bonus Bets, regardless of the outcome.
Key Details
- Minimum deposit of $10 and made in the seven days prior to you claiming the offer.
- Consists of: Getting $200 in Bonus Bets. It doesn’t matter if the bet wins or loses.
- Bonus Bet expiration: 30 days after registering your account.
Standout Perk
- Includes $200 of Bonus Bets regardless of whether your bet wins or loses.
Quick How-to-Claim
- Sign up, deposit $10+, place your first $10 wager, and get Bonus Bets.
Caesars KY Promo – Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Next 20 Wagers
Offer Summary
Key Details
- Minimum $10 deposit, the first placed real-cash wager of $1+ will be the qualifying wager.
- Consists of: By opening an account, depositing $10, and betting $1 on any market (minimum odds of -10000 or longer to qualify) for any event, you’ll receive ten (10) 100% Profit Boost Tokens if you win.
- Bonus bet expiration: 14 days.
Standout Perk
- The maximum wager amount for each Token is $25, and the maximum additional winnings for each Token is $2,500.
Quick How-to-Claim
- Sign up, deposit $1+, place a $1 wager on any market, and get Profit Boost Tokens.
How to Start Betting on Sports in Kentucky
1. Choose a Legal KY Sportsbook
Compare welcome bonuses, odds quality, and app UX. Check for region-specific promos.
2. Register Online
Kentucky allows remote sign-up. You’ll typically enter: full name, email, date of birth, last 4 of SSN, and physical address. Verify location and age (21+).
3. Claim a Welcome Bonus
Click the “claim” button on this page to opt in. Read the terms and conditions for minimum odds, qualifying bet, and expiry.
4. Deposit Funds
Common KY methods: credit and debit card, online banking/ACH, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Play+ prepaid.
5. Place Your First Bet
Example: bet $5 on Kentucky to win at DraftKings to unlock bonus bets. You can also try a simple total or moneyline.
6. Withdraw Winnings
Payout options usually include online banking/ACH, PayPal, Venmo, and Play+. E-wallets often pay fastest, while bank transfers can take longer. Check processing times in the app’s cashier.
Kentucky Sports Betting Handle
The betting handle is the total amount of money wagered with legal sportsbooks over a given period. It counts every dollar staked before any winnings are paid out. Handle is not the sportsbook’s revenue. Revenue equals handle minus payouts, and the hold (or win rate) is revenue divided by handle.
Quick example: if bettors place $200 million in wagers and sportsbooks pay out $188 million, revenue is $12 million and the hold is 6%.
| Year | Handle | Revenue | Hold | Taxes |
| 2023 | $885M | $111M | 12.61% | $15.4M |
| 2024 | $2.6B | $278M | 10.57% | $38.6M |
Responsible Gaming in Kentucky
Sports betting should be enjoyable and fit your budget. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, confidential help is available in Kentucky and nationwide. Most sportsbooks also offer deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion to help you stay in control.
Help and resources:
- Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling – kygamblinghelp.org – 📞 1-800-GAMBLER
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – ncpgambling.org | 📞 1-800-522-4700 | 📱 Text “HELP” to 800-522-4700 | 💬 Live Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
- Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org | 📞 1-855-222-5542
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