Kentucky Legal Online Gambling 2024

The only state-regulated gambling options available in Kentucky are the Kentucky Lottery, charitable gambling games (scratchers, raffles, bingo, etc.), historic racing machines (HHRs, or instant racing terminals), and pari-mutuel horse racing betting.

The state’s minimum legal gambling age for all these types of entertainment is 18 and up, except for HHRs, which require participants to be 21-plus.

However, you can legally and safely play real-money online casino games, place online sports bets and horse bets, and participate in online poker tournaments if you live in Kentucky and are at least 18 years old by visiting any reputable site listed on this page.

Yes, you can!

If you live in KY and are participating in real-money sports gambling at licensed offshore sportsbooks, you are free to take advantage of any of their betting lines and offerings.

The fact that any team might be based in KY (or any other US state or international region) is irrelevant.

The Kentucky Wildcats, for example, are always featured heavily in college basketball betting lines and March Madness odds at reputable online sportsbooks. You are free to bet on the Wildcats – or any other US-based or international team – at your discretion.

As long as you restrict your online gambling to legally licensed and regulated offshore destinations, then you are not breaking any state or federal laws by participating.

State laws in KY only outlaw the operation of online gambling venues within the state and do not apply to other nations' gambling laws. Limit your betting with the sites listed here, and you'll never have any problems.

Except, of course, for the fact that you'll have to pay taxes on your winnings. That's a bummer, but there's no way around it: Online gambling winnings are taxable income.

These are the following domestic gambling options in the Bluegrass State:

Charitable Gambling - This type of gambling involves bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, and scratch-offs. Charitable gambling events are run by nonprofits like service clubs, churches, and schools.

Pari-mutuel Racing – Horse racing betting has been a part of the fabric of Kentucky’s culture since the early days, with the first Kentucky Derby taking place in 1875. Kentucky has multiple racetracks and offers both live and online betting on the ponies.

Kentucky Lottery – The Kentucky state lottery was the second form of regulated gambling entertainment to appear in the Bluegrass State, becoming legal in 1988. The first Kentucky Lottery ticket was sold the next year. Kentucky was also among the first states to allow online lottery ticket machines. Residents can also play various interstate lottery games in Kentucky, such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

Licensed Offshore Online Gambling – There are no state laws in Kentucky (nor any federal laws, for that matter) that prevent residents of the state from engaging in licensed and regulated online gambling based outside of the United States. As a result, you can safely and legally enjoy literally any real-money gambling market you wish with such sites, whether or not those gambling options are domestically available inside the state.

KY rep Adam Koenig (R) has sponsored HB 241, which would legalize KY sports betting within state borders. The law would also legalize online poker in Kentucky. However, the betting legalization bill has a long way to go before passage, despite having bipartisan support.

Of course, none of that matters to the avid sports bettor in Kentucky, as you can wager on any sporting event you wish by simply using a legal online sportsbook operating internationally. As long as you live in KY, are at least 18 years old, and have an Internet connection, you're in!