Is Online Gambling Legal in Kentucky?

Yes, online sports betting and daily fantasy sports online are legal. In addition, lottery games and horse race betting are legal as well. However, the state has conservative approach to online casinos.

Real money online casinos are not legal, although many choose to play on offshore online casinos which are not legit. Instead, KY residents can play online casino games on social casinos which are not regulated either but offer these favorite games entirely for free and not for real money.

A licensed online casino market would bring in much needed revenue for the state, but there are no efforts to amend the Kentucky gambling laws at this time. In 2020, a bill to legalize online casinos and poker was presented but received no support. If another attempt to regulate online gambling in Kentucky springs up, we’ll let you know right here.

Kentucky Online Casinos

Social casinos are available in Kentucky. These casinos offer free virtual coins and the opportunity to redeem cash prizes, but no real money gaming. To play at a sweepstakes casino site in Kentucky, you must be 18 years or older; most of the casinos operate in numerous state so you don’t have to worry about being in Kentucky when you play.

Social casinos are very similar to real money online casinos and the gaming works exactly like it would on regular online casinos. Instead of actual cash, you use gold coins and sweeps coins to play games and if you gather enough SCs, you can redeem cash prizes. Not every social casino offers this option, though.

On regular online casino apps you can deposit and withdraw funds as you please, but on social sites you can only make purchases and redeem the prizes. This means you can’t get back any money until you have enough SCs to get the prize. Also, you can withdraw any gold coins or “return” a purchase you’ve made.

Kentucky casinos online are available as websites and very few casinos have mobile apps. Instead, all websites have been meticulously designed for mobile devices. Brands like Pulsz Casino and McLuck Casino have mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, but you can play on any site using the mobile browser you prefer.

Online Casino Games in KY

Social and sweepstakes casinos in the Bluegrass State offer a variety of popular games from many software providers. These include slots, table games, and live dealer games. Kentucky online casinos offer mainly just slot games, but you can find other games on certain gambling sites.

Slots are the most popular casino games since you can find hundreds of different themes, bonus features, and free spins on all Kentucky casinos online. Slot games are also the most prominent games social casino sites provide; you can find them on all of the casinos we recommend. Kentucky players can also play on our free slots no download page.

In addition to online slots, table games are very common in online casino gaming. You can play either software versions of blackjack, baccarat, online roulette, and craps, or live dealer games. Some sites also offer online poker for free.

Video poker is also offered by some Kentucky casinos online; it combines slots and poker to a easy-to-play version you can play if you are getting bored of slots. Some of the best online casino sites also have keno, bingo, and exclusive games so take a look at the options if you want to try something new.

Getting Started with Kentucky Casinos

To participate in casino gaming in Kentucky, you must be 18 years or older. You don’t have to verify your identity to play on sweepstakes casinos, but you do need to provide your phone number to get the welcome bonus funds.

To sign up, all you need to do is to use your email or social media account to create a new account. Then you add your phone number and can start playing with the free coins. If you wish to make purchases, you can choose the package you want and pay with your credit card or debit card, which are the most common payment options, or e-wallet in some cases.

KY Online Casino Bonuses and Promotions

Kentucky online casinos provide casino bonuses to new customers. Since you can gamble online only with social currencies, these bonuses come in the form of gold coins and sweepstakes coins. Some bonuses require a purchase but you can always play entirely for free if you don’t want to pay.

Below are the best bonuses for Kentucky online gambling. You must verify your online casino account by putting in your phone number if you wish to get the offers.

Land-Based Casinos in Kentucky

There are no retail casinos in Kentucky. However, there are several horse racing tracks (Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park, and Red Mile) that offer historical racing machines. These machines offer a slot-like experience as you can bet on past races without being able to know the results. However, there are attempts to shut these machines down.

The horse race tracks like Kentucky Downs and Oak Grove Racing & Gaming offer plenty of entertainment and amenities but lack the traditional casino experience. If you wish to play slot machines and card games at brick-and-mortar casinos, you can visit neighboring states’ casinos. For example, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Ohio have several land-based casinos.

Responsible Gambling in Kentucky

Responsible gambling is important, no matter whether your partake in sports betting, wagering on the Kentucky Derby, or online casino gaming. The state offers several resources for problem gambling, such as counseling and support groups. The National Council on Problem Gambling also offers resources you can take advantage of if you feel like you need help.

KY Gambling Licensing and Regulation

Online casinos in Kentucky are not regulated in anyway. This means any real money online casinos that operate in the state are not legit and we recommend you avoid them. Social casinos are not regulated either, but they follow the federal sweepstakes laws. In addition, we only recommend sites we have thoroughly reviewed and tested.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regulates horse racing and sports betting, which is unusual compared to other states. However, the Commission has over 100 years of experience, so it has risen to the task admirably. Should Kentucky online gambling expand to include online casinos, another agency could be created to oversee sports betting and casino gambling.

The legal gambling age in Kentucky is 18 years old for sports betting and betting on horse races as set by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. If Kentucky online casinos launch, it’s likely the age limit would rise 21 years which is the standard in states where online casino gambling is legal.

Last updated: 08/01/2024