Fed up with browsing through countless lists of 'best Kentucky sportsbooks' that feel more like promotions than genuine advice?
We’ve crafted a smarter, personalized tool to help you skip the noise and find the ideal sportsbook that matches your betting style in Kentucky.
Just answer a few quick questions, and we’ll connect you with the best Kentucky betting apps and sites perfectly suited to your needs.
Sporting Post is an independent comparison site for gambling platforms, helping readers find safe and legitimate options. We may earn a commission from some affiliate links, but this does not influence our rigorous and unbiased testing, ensuring honest recommendations and accurate information.
Get your perfect Kentucky sportsbook match with a personalized recommendation
Choose 'Kentucky' as the state you live in, answer a few questions, and we'll match you with the best options.
We only suggest trusted and regulated sportsbooks available in Kentucky.
What state do you live in?
How do I choose a Kentucky betting site?
Choosing the best Kentucky online sportsbook doesn’t have to be a challenge.
With our quiz, you’ll receive personalized recommendations based on your preferences and betting style.
Here’s a breakdown of the questions and why they matter:
What state do you live in?
Kentucky’s sports betting market is regulated, making it essential to choose licensed and legal sportsbooks in the state.
By knowing you’re in Kentucky, we ensure the options we recommend are fully compliant and available for you.
What sport(s) do you plan to bet on most?
Whether it’s NFL, NBA, MLB, or niche sports, Kentucky sportsbooks cater to different audiences with tailored features, promotions, and betting options.
By identifying your favorite sports, we match you with platforms offering the best odds, live betting tools, and exclusive deals for Kentucky bettors.
How familiar are you with sports betting?
If you’re new to sports betting in Kentucky, you might prefer platforms with user-friendly interfaces, tutorials, and straightforward bet options.
For experienced bettors, we recommend sportsbooks with advanced tools, competitive odds, and extensive betting markets tailored to your expertise.
Do you plan to bet live (in-play) or place bets before the game starts?
Live betting offers exciting, fast-paced options for in-the-moment decisions, while pre-game betting allows for careful planning.
Depending on your preference, we can connect you with Kentucky sportsbooks that excel in live betting, pre-game analysis, or both.
What kind of bonuses or promotions are important to you?
Kentucky sportsbooks often offer enticing welcome bonuses, free bets, and loyalty programs.
Whether you’re looking for deposit matches or ongoing rewards, we’ll recommend platforms with promotions that add the most value to your betting experience.
What kind of customer support do you expect?
From live chat to email or phone assistance, reliable customer support ensures a smooth betting experience.
We’ll recommend Kentucky sportsbooks that prioritize top-notch service in your preferred support channels.
Do you plan to bet most on mobile or desktop?
Whether you’re betting on the go or prefer a desktop platform, your device choice matters.
Kentucky sportsbooks offer robust mobile apps or desktop features, and we’ll suggest the ones best suited for your betting style.
Any special preferences? (pick up to 3)
From live streaming to microbetting or social features, you may have specific preferences.
By understanding your priorities, we tailor recommendations to platforms offering the features you’ll enjoy most.
Take the quiz today!
Answer these quick questions, and we’ll handle the rest—matching you with the best Kentucky sportsbooks personalized to your needs.
How we rate & rank Kentucky sports betting apps & sites
Our goal is to provide you with objective, unbiased reviews of Kentucky sports betting sites, making it easy to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
We use a consistent set of nine criteria to evaluate each platform, ensuring that you can compare them effectively and easily:
Safety: We verify if the sportsbook holds a Kentucky state license and review its operating history, ensuring your money is secure. We also highlight any specific safety features.
Mobile betting app: We evaluate the app's layout, functionality, user experience, unique features, and ease of placing bets.
Web betting site: We test the website's features, identify pros and cons, and assess customization options and the bet placement process.
Deposits & withdrawals: We review the range of payment methods, ease of transactions, associated fees, and processing times for deposits and withdrawals.
Markets: We examine the variety of sports available for betting and compare the quality and breadth of markets across US sportsbooks.
Pre-match betting: We assess the user-friendliness and versatility of pre-match betting features.
In-play betting: We evaluate the live betting experience, including the quality of live markets and usability.
Welcome incentive: We detail current sign-up bonuses and compare them to those offered by other betting sites.
Customer service: We test the quality of customer service, including live chat response times and support effectiveness.
We download and use every betting site ourselves, using our own money to test the quality, to make sure the site is good enough for our readers to use.
Scoring & overall rating
Each criterion is scored on a points system, which is then converted into a star rating.
We average these scores to provide an overall rating for each legal sportsbook, making it easier for you to decide which one best meets your needs.
With our thorough and clear reviews, you can trust that you are getting an honest assessment, free from personal bias.
You can view our dedicated page for more information on how we test and review sportsbooks.
Additionally, you can view all of our sportsbook reviews here and our list of the best online sportsbooks in the US.
Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Kentucky. House Bill 551, signed by Governor Andy Beshear on March 31, 2023, legalized both retail and online sports betting, making Kentucky the 38th state to do so.
The law officially took effect on June 29, 2023, and the first in-person retail sportsbooks opened on September 7, 2023, coinciding with the NFL season opener.
Online sports betting followed on September 28, 2023, with seven licensed apps launching initially, and Circa Sports joining shortly after.
Kentucky’s law sets the legal betting age at 18, though some sportsbooks, like FanDuel and Caesars, have opted for a 21+ minimum for their platforms.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission oversees sports betting regulations, ensuring a controlled and responsible gambling environment.
List of Kentucky sportsbooks
Kentucky sportsbook | Best for | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
bet365 | Unmatched depth in betting features and international sports coverage | |
Caesars Sportsbook | Comprehensive experience with excellent customer service and promotions | |
FanDuel | Top-rated mobile app with smooth navigation and innovative features | |
DraftKings | Seamless DFS integration and exclusive free-to-enter betting pools | |
BetRivers | Integrated live streaming for immersive in-game betting experiences | |
BetMGM | Superior platform for live betting and complex parlay constructions | |
Fanatics Sportsbook | Generous rewards program tailored for frequent bettors | |
ESPN BET | Trusted sports media brand with fresh appeal from Barstool rebranding | |
Circa Sports | Caters to high-stakes bettors with a simple interface and high-limit betting options |
What is the best Kentucky sports betting app for iPhone?
Ranking | KY betting app | App Store rating | No. of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | FanDuel | 4.9 | 1,507,453 reviews |
2 | DraftKings | 4.8 | 749,092 reviews |
3 | BetMGM | 4.8 | 217,269 reviews |
4 | bet365 | 4.7 | 310,476 reviews |
5 | Caesars Sportsbook | 4.7 | 69,001 reviews |
What is the best Kentucky sports betting app for Android?
Ranking | KY betting app | Google Play rating | No. of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | bet365 | 4.7 | 125,145 reviews |
2 | FanDuel | 4.6 | 291,179 reviews |
3 | DraftKings | 4.6 | 156,168 reviews |
4 | BetMGM | 4.5 | 30,549 reviews |
5 | Caesars Sportsbook | 4.3 | 26,175 reviews |
Best land-based Kentucky legal sportsbooks
Sportsbook | Casino/Location | Address | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Churchill Downs | Louisville | 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208 | Traditional sports betting experience with iconic venue |
Derby City Gaming | Louisville | 4520 Poplar Level Rd, Louisville, KY 40213 | Accessible location with a focus on local sports |
The Red Mile | Lexington | 1200 Red Mile Rd, Lexington, KY 40504 | Casino and sports betting in one location |
Ellis Park | Henderson | 3300 Highway 41 N, Henderson, KY 42420 | Full gaming and betting experience with horse racing and sports |
Turfway Park | Florence | 7500 Turfway Rd, Florence, KY 41042 | Comprehensive sports betting options and live events |
Oak Grove Racing | Oak Grove | 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262 | Large venue with sports and racing options |
The Mint Gaming Hall | Cumberland Run, Corbin | 777 Winners Lane, Corbin, KY 40701 | Known for high-limit betting and fast service |
Sandy's Racing & Gaming | Ashland | 10699 US-60, Ashland, KY 41102 | Great location for quick bets and expansive gaming options |
How is Kentucky sports betting changing in 2025
The sports betting scene in Kentucky is evolving quickly in 2025. Find out the latest recent statistics and trends.
Recent statistics
In January 2025, Kentucky sports betting handle was $277,120,574, a 12.8% increase over January 2024 ($245,604,3911).
Even though January’s figures were down 5.4% from December 2024, the year-over-year increase is fairly substantial.
Online wagering still comprised nearly 98% of the betting traffic with $270,994,797 bet on the eight approved Kentucky sports betting apps.
Insights
The surge in January's revenue, up 68.8% to $32.975 million from December's $19.533 million, is particularly intriguing.
This substantial increase, despite a slight dip in handle, suggests that operators are becoming more efficient at managing their odds and promotions.
It may also indicate that bettors are placing more ambitious wagers or that certain high-profile events resulted in favorable outcomes for the sportsbooks.
The state generating $39.3 million in tax revenue in just 2024, exceeding the first year projection by over $16 million in the first place, shows this is a strong market and Kentucky’s approach in projecting the early market performance was almost spot on.
Sporting Post predictions based on current trends
Market maturation: As the market matures, month-to-month handle fluctuations will likely level out. The current level of year-over-year growth indicates that the Kentucky sports betting market will continue to grow and could reach $3 billion in annual handle by the end of 2025.
Increased competition: With eight sportsbooks currently live and the possibility of up to 27 online sports betting licenses, increased competition may lead to more creative promotions and an enhanced user experience for bettors.
Seasonal patterns: Based on the 2024 figures, we can expect a higher handle in the fall and winter, when the bulk of the NFL and college football seasons are underway. These are likely to be the peak periods in which operators will focus most of their marketing resources.
Technology integration: As the industry evolves, there could be increased incorporation of new technologies, such as live in-game betting options and virtual reality experiences, to engage users more effectively and potentially increase handle and revenue figures.
Regulatory adjustments: In light of the market overperformance, there may be talk of tweaking tax rates or licensing fees to improve state revenue while maintaining a profitable marketplace for operators.
As the sports betting market in Kentucky matures in 2025, it will be important for operators and regulators to continue adapting to the evolving landscape of consumer behavior and technological innovation to maintain growth and ensure responsible gambling practices.
How to gamble responsibly with online sportsbooks in Kentucky
Before we end this article, we need to caution you to always bet responsibly.
To ensure you’re being cautious, betting sites implement various responsible gambling practices that will help you keep your betting habits in check.
Limits: Sportsbooks allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.
Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting site. This prevents you from spending all of your winnings. There’s also the option for early cashout, so you can still get paid if the bet is starting to go sideways.
Help & resources: Betting sites provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.
To help, we created a 'how to bet on sports' guide, that helps new sports bettors understand the industry better, to play safer and more securely.
Responsible gambling organizations and charities in the US
Organization | Contact details |
|---|---|
Email: [email protected], Phone: 1-800-522-4700 | |
Email: [email protected], Phone: 020 7381 7722 | |
Email: [email protected], Phone: 1-888-532-3500 |
Frequently asked questions
What sportsbooks are legal in Kentucky?
Are there any new Kentucky sportsbooks?
How do I sign up to a Kentucky sportsbook?
Which sportsbooks are legal in KY?
Can you play FanDuel Sportsbook in Kentucky?
Can I use Caesars Sportsbook in Kentucky?
Can I use Barstool Sportsbook in Kentucky?
Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?
What is the minimum age for sports betting in Kentucky?
Where can I place in-person bets in Kentucky?
What sports can I bet on in Kentucky?
How are winnings from sports betting taxed in Kentucky?
What are the best Kentucky sports betting apps?
What are the best Kentucky sportsbooks?
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
