475
19Top features:
Top features:
Bonus:
125% up to $3,125 475 19
312 25Top features:
Top features:
Bonus:
50% up to $1,000 312 25
112 15Top features:
Top features:
Bonus:
50% up to $250 112 15Our team of expert reviewers picked these top three Kentucky online sports betting sites based on great bonuses, competitive odds, and the most comprehensive market coverage.
BetUS is one of the best online sportsbooks and became available to Kentucky bettors in 1994. This offshore site, licensed by Curacao eGaming Authority, is best due its to reliability and competitive odds.
Thanks to the BetUS sportsbook, Kentucky bettors can place online bets on all major professional sports teams. Besides betting on professional football, basketball, and baseball, you will also find competitive odds for college sports betting. Overall, there are more than 20 sports for you to bet on.
BetUS offers many exciting features, including a loyalty program. It enables Kentucky players to gain VIP status and rank up for every sports bet they place. As a VIP member, you can have a personal account manager to obtain quick updates regarding exclusive bonuses. The best part is that if you are a VIP member, you are given priority when you want to cash out your winnings.
BetUS rewards new Kentucky sports bettors with a 100% up to $2,500 welcome bonus. No other KY site offers a better welcome bonus than this. Use code JOIN125 and make at least a $100 deposit to claim this one-time offer. This bonus has a 10x wagering requirement and expires after 30 days.
BetUS allows eight deposit options, including Visa, Mastercard, and several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. However, you can withdraw only using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It would be helpful if this operator increased its withdrawal methods.
Bovada is our next and best option for NFL betting in Kentucky. This Curacao-licensed site is specifically designed for both mobile and desktop users.
Whether you want to bet on professional sports teams or are a college sports betting fan, Bovada has you covered. However, it is one of the best NFL betting sites. Throughout the NFL season, the operator runs a host of specials and boosted odds. Likewise, Bovada covers the NCAA season, featuring highly competitive odds for college football.
Bovada has many features, but we liked its prop builder tool for the NFL the most. Kentucky football fans will find interesting props on all kinds of NFL players. This feature allows you direct control over putting together the player and team props you’re looking for.
Bovada offers a 75% up to $750 crypto sports welcome bonus – one of the best crypto sportsbook bonuses we have seen online. You can grab this one-time offer by depositing using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV Deposit, Litecoin, or USDT. This bonus has a 5x wagering requirement. Use the Bovada bonus code BTCSWB750 to activate this crypto offer.
Bovada offers a good selection of banking options. You can make deposits using Visa, Mastercard, and some cryptos. However, the inclusion of MatchPay is a standout feature, making Bovada the only sportsbook to offer e-wallet banking in Kentucky.
MyBookie is an impressive platform licensed by the Curacao eGaming Authority to offer sports gambling in Kentucky and the other 49 states. Operational since 2014, this top offshore operator is owned by Duranbah Limited.
Market Coverage
This KY betting site offers an extensive array of markets, making it an ideal choice for sports enthusiasts. Whether your passion lies with professional football, basketball, or baseball, or you’re a fan of college sports, this online sportsbook has you covered. In Kentucky, MyBookie is renowned for its vast live betting coverage.
Top Feature
MyBookie also offers unique contests for Kentucky players, adding another dimension to your betting experience. Currently, it offers ‘Squares,’ a contest where you pick your NFL or NCAAF squares and get real money prizes.
Welcome Bonus
MyBookie offers an enticing welcome bonus for new users, allowing you to kickstart your sports betting journey with a 50% up to $1,000 sign-up bonus. You’ll need to meet a 10x rollover requirement on this bonus.
Use bonus code MYB50 after making a minimum deposit of $50 or more. Use the bonus terms within the specified period of 30 days.
Banking Options
At MyBookie, you can choose between traditional methods like Visa, Mastercard, or one of the ten cryptocurrencies they accept.
Deposit at least $20 using the available cryptos. There is no cap on the upper limit when depositing with these digital coins.
| Sportsbook | Welcome bonus | Playthrough | Valid for | Min. deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetUS | 100% Up to $2500 | 10x | 14 days | $100 |
| Bovada | 75% Up to $750 | 5x | doesn’t expire | $20 |
The safety of a gambling site depends on the site you choose. Many offshore sites are not safe, preying on new players with little knowledge of online gambling. We want you to consider safety your priority. The best course is to join the top Kentucky sports betting sites that have been around for years online gaming.
For example, BetUS and BetOnline are some of the best Kentucky online casinos which are popular with US sports bettors. These top Kentucky sites feature exciting bonuses, competitive odds, anonymous deposits, and quick withdrawals.
Kentucky sports betting remains unregulated as we write this review in 2023. However, this status may change later this year. Strangely, the home to the Kentucky Derby remains without legal sports betting while 35 other states already have legalized sports betting in their respective jurisdictions.
While several Kentucky sports betting bills failed to pass over the past four years, state lawmakers renewed efforts to legalize sports gambling at the start of the 2023 legislative session. The latest bill seeks to legalize online sports betting and daily fantasy sports in the Blue Grass State.
However, it may take months or a year before we see online sports betting launch in Kentucky. Meanwhile, the only option to place a sports bet is via offshore sportsbooks. Leading offshore operators like BetUS have served Kentucky bettors for the last three decades. So, we wonder how the local Kentucky betting apps will compare with these offshore giants when they are launched in the legal market.
The latest KY sports betting bill – HB 106 – was introduced on the opening day of the 2023 legislative session. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Derrick Graham, would allow for online sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and online poker in the Bluegrass State. Here are the key features of HB 106:
Most recent efforts to legalize sports betting in Kentucky failed in 2022. House Bill 606, which would have legalized retail and online wagering via racetracks and casinos, was unable to gain enough support in the Senate during the final day of the state’s 2022 general assembly on April 14.
In March 2022, the Kentucky House approved the sports betting bill, which would have also regulated daily fantasy sports and online poker. Rep. Adam Koenig, who introduced the bill, said the fight to legalize sports betting was far from over. The Republican lawmaker termed the failure of the measure to pass as “delaying the inevitable.”
We can hope so. 2023 is the fifth consecutive year that lawmakers will attempt to legalize Kentucky sports betting. The Kentucky General Assembly kicked off the 2023 session on Jan. 3, and sports betting was on the agenda. However, sports betting legalization could be more challenging in 2023 because it is a short legislative session.
Yet, the proponents believe it is still possible. Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said he advocates sports gambling, which he thinks is “a natural extension of pari-mutuel betting on horses…”
He said sports “can pass in an odd-numbered year, but if it has a tax rate, it’ll have to pass with a higher threshold of votes.”
So, the latest push to legalize the Kentucky sports gambling bill, HB 106, is a tougher challenge in 2023. The bill will have less than a month to achieve something the Kentucky lawmakers have struggled to do for the last five years.
Worse, they need more support this year. This is because legislative sessions during odd-numbered years have a higher vote threshold.
“It would take 23 votes to pass the Senate,” says Thayers, “In a 60-day session, it would take 20. So, those extra 3 votes make it a little bit harder to pass this year.”
Legalized sports betting in 2023 is a longshot this year, as was Rich Strike’s attempt in last year’s Kentucky Derby. Even if House clears sports betting, as it did in 2022, the KY sports betting bill requires two-thirds support from each chamber this year, when lawmakers meet for just 30 days as opposed to 60 days.
Another possible blow to this year’s Kentucky sports betting legislative efforts is the absence of the biggest supporter of legal sports betting in Kentucky. Rep. Adam Koenig, who pushed the previous four sports betting bills, lost his House seat in September.
You can enjoy all these promotions using the top Kentucky sites, including:
A risk-free bet is a promotion where you will recieve a refund of your initial bet if you lose it. BetUS offers up to a $500 risk-free bet. Risk-free bets are also awarded on special occasions. For example, BetOnline currently offers a $250 risk-free bet when you bet on the NBA this weekend. If you lose your risk-free bet, your Kentucky sportsbook will refund the initial wager in free play.
A deposit match is a real-money bonus offered to you when you deposit money into a Kentucky online sports betting account. Your KY sportsbook will match a percentage of the amount you deposit with bonus funds. For example, BetUS will match a 100% sports bonus up to $2,500, meaning if you make an initial deposit of $2,500, you will get an extra $2,500 in your sports betting account.
A referral bonus will reward you for introducing your friends to your Kentucky sportsbook. For example, BetUS offers a 100% Refer A Friend bonus of up to $2,000. All you need is to refer a friend to BetUS, and once they make their initial deposit, you will be rewarded.
Leading KY sports betting sites will often offer increased (boosted) odds on certain wager types. An odds boost means Kentucky players will receive better payouts than they would have without this promotion. For example, BetOnline’s Odds Boosters allow you to get boosted odds for various sports betting markets in the form of futures, props, and parlays.
Parlay insurance is how Kentucky sportsbooks encourage sports bettors to keep trying their luck on parlay betting. This promotion provides a partial refund if you lose a parlay by one leg.
Some Kentucky sites even allow you to place a few sports wagers without making an initial deposit. A no-deposit bonus is often awarded just for signing up. However, none of our top three Kentucky sports betting sites offer any no-deposit bonuses.
All our recommended Kentucky sportsbooks are specifically designed for mobile users. So, whether you have iOS or Android devices, you will find the top-notch mobile betting experience in Bluegrass State.
From signing up to finding your favorite sport, placing a sports bet, to withdrawing your winnings, everything is a touch away on the top Kentucky mobile betting sites. The best part is that you can directly place a bet in their mobile browsers. In addition, there is no need to download any software, so you don’t have to download daily updates.
Using offshore sportsbooks comes with many advantages. In the case of Kentucky, the biggest advantage is that offshore betting sites are the only option, at least for now.
Other significant advantages include the following:
College basketball is the most popular sport in Kentucky among the state bettors. While the Bluegrass State does not have any NBA teams, it boasts two prestigious collegiate programs: University of Louisville and University of Kentucky.
While in-state betting will soon be allowed, probably as early as later this year, you can still enjoy March Madness betting. Kentucky bettors can find excellent college basketball odds on BetOnline. This top KY site claims there’s nowhere better for college hoops action than BetOnline.ag., and we agree with this. You will find side and totals play on every game on the board, futures, betting, props, and live betting on the marquee matchups.
The three top offshore sports betting sites we reviewed above have almost hijacked the Kentucky sports betting market. However, some new online sites have managed to cause ripples in the Bluegrass State.
XBet sportsbook is one of those new sites launched in 2013 and has become one of the most popular sportsbooks among Kentuckians who are fond of live betting. MyBookie, which went live in 2014, is another considerable KY sportsbook widely known for its sports betting contests.
Horse betting is one of the few legal gambling options in Kentucky. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission oversees horse racing gambling in the state. Kentucky is home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby – the Run for the Roses. This longest-running sporting event in the US has been attracting US and global spectators since 1875. You can legally bet on horses at any of the horse racing tracks or online.
Luckily, all our three top Kentucky sites include full-fledged racebooks, allowing excellent odds for Kentucky Derby betting. BetUS is our top pick if you are looking to bet on the Kentucky Derby 2023 futures.
Click here to learn everything about the Kentucky Derby, the types of Kentucky Derby bets, and how to bet on the Kentucky Derby.
Another exclusive feature of top offshore sites is that they offer odds on election outcomes. So, whether you want to bet on the US elections or global politics, our Kentucky sites have you covered. Bovada currently provides the best odds on the US Presidential Election 2024, with Biden being (-170) favorite.
Kentucky players should expect the following online wagers when betting through the top offshore sportsbooks:
A moneyline bet is the most straightforward bet type in sports wagering. It involves two (or sometimes three) outcomes. In cases where two sides (teams or players) are listed on a moneyline wager, you have to pick one side (team or player) to win.
A favorite in a moneyline bet is represented with a minus sign (-), and an underdog is represented with a (+) sign.
Parlay bets combine two or more individual bets on a single ticket. The purpose is to create a larger payout with a small amount. But because you must win all legs to win a parlay, this bet type is more complicated. Many experienced KY players love participating in parlay betting, hoping to win life-changing payouts.
A total or over/under betting is placed on the total number of points in a game. You will have to decide if the actual number/points/goals scored by both teams will be higher or lower than the number given by the oddsmakers. You don’t have to guess the exact total.
For example, the Colts-Bears over/under is set at 51.5.
Point spread betting is placed on the margin of victory in a game, most commonly in football and basketball. It ideally involves a favorite and an underdog. Your KY sportsbook will set a line, subtracting the favorite team’s point totals to level the playing field.
A futures is a wager placed on an event – a series, award, or election – that will take place in the future. It may include major championships like the Super Bowl LVIII that will be played on Feb. 11, 2024. Betting on the US Presidential Election 2024 is also one of the most popular forms of futures betting.
A prop or proposition bet is wagered for something to happen or not happen inside a sporting event. It usually remains unrelated to the final outcome of a game. For example, instead of betting on who would win between the Colts and Bears, an example of a prop bet would be “How many passing yards will Matt Ryan have?”
Live bets or in-game betting allows Kentucky players to place bets while the event is underway. Unlike traditional bet types, where you place pre-game wagers, live betting enables you to place bets throughout the game. The ever-changing odds, depending on the fast development of the game, have made live betting more popular in recent times.
Prohibited bets are those bet types that even the legal sports betting states don’t allow their licensed sportsbooks to offer. Politics betting is the most prominent example. Luckily, our top three KY sports betting sites feature election betting odds on every political event in the US, including the US President Election 2024.
Betting in Kentucky is straightforward as long as you know what to look for when choosing the a betting site in the Bluegrass State. Here’s a checklist:
It is advisable to do prior research by reading reviews about the KY site you have shortlisted. Reading independent reviews will help you decide whether or not the sportsbook is worth joining. That said, LetsGambleUSA offers unbiased reviews of all the top Kentucky online sportsbooks. You can check them out for a detailed review. We also recommend you triangulate your research by reading customer reviews.
Always join a licensed sportsbook for secure online wagering. Make sure the KY site is licensed by leading jurisdictions like Panama Gambling Commission or Curacao eGaming Authority.
Compare your shortlisted KY sites for better bonuses and promotional offers. Besides giving your account an extra boost, bonuses reflect a site’s financial credibility.
You should be able to place bets wherever and whenever you want. All the leading Kentucky sites must be optimized for mobile users (iOS and Android mainly).
The more bet types and market coverage a KY sportsbook allows, the better. The last thing you want to join is a site that doesn’t support the wager types you’re looking for. Moneyline, props, futures, totals, spread betting, and live betting are some of the most popular wager types to look for.
It is a good idea to join multiple sites for comparison shopping. Only then will you be able to see which of the KY sites offer better odds. For example, if a KY site offers -110 on Colts betting lines and the other site offers -120, its best to join the former. A -110 betting line means you have to put $110 to win $100, while -120 means you will have to bet $120 to win $100.
Prefer the KY sites with more expansive banking options. More deposits and withdrawal options mean you are likely to find the deposit and withdrawal methods you’re looking for.
You will hardly need customer support if you find the right KY site. However, if you do need support, it is helpful to be able to contact the customer support agents instantly. Most reputed KY sites include email, phone, and live chat options to facilitate their customers.
Kentucky does not have any major pro sports teams. However, residents can cheer on the professional sports teams in neighboring states. If you like, you can fly to Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee to see games and bet on professional sports. However, most Kentuckians prefer to do so online using top offshore sportsbooks.
You can bet on Indiana Pacers (NBA), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Indiana Colts (NFL), Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), Cincinnati Reds (MLB), and more.
You can use the following banking methods when betting online in Kentucky:
Kentucky bettors can deposit via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Card on our recommended KY sites. The only downside of credit card deposits is that they incur a fee ranging from 6% to 15.9%, depending on the site you choose.
Bank transfer is another popular payment method available on our top Kentucky sites. While BetUS allows bank transfer deposits, Bovada offers bank transfer withdrawals only. Luckily, BetOnline allows bank wire transfers deposits and withdrawals. However, the transactions made via bank transfers may take one to two weeks.
Offshore sites usually don’t offer popular e-wallets to US-based customers. However, Kentucky bettors can still use PayPal and other significant e-wallets on one of our top Kentucky sportsbooks. Bovada exclusively offers e-wallet banking via MatchPay – a P2P trading platform that includes PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Chime, and other e-wallets. You need to create a MatchPay account to use one of your preferred e-wallets for depositing or withdrawing from Bovada.
Bitcoin is the most popular banking method available on all the top Kentucky sports betting sites. Bitcoin deposits are free, and Bitcoin withdrawals are instant, plus they have a lower minimum deposit requirement and higher withdrawal limits.
You can also use other cryptocurrencies – or altcoins – as a banking option for online betting in Kentucky. With 17 deposit and withdrawal options, BetOnline is one of the best altcoin online sportsbooks. This site allows Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Rita, Polygon, ApeCoin, Avalanche, Binance Coin, Cardano, ChainLink, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, and USDCoin.
You can bet on the neighboring pro sports teams and the state’s most popular betting choice: college sports teams.
Of all seven states bordering Kentucky, only Missouri is without legal sports betting. The Missouri lawmakers will likely regulate sports gambling later in 2023 as a new House Bill 556 has already begun its journey.
Kentucky will soon become an island surrounded by legal sports betting states. Realizing this, the state lawmakers have once again renewed efforts to legalize sports betting in 2023.
No. Online sports betting is still under consideration in Kentucky. As of now, Kentucky lawmakers have yet to approve any online sports betting bill.
According to the latest Kentucky sports betting bill, the minimum sports betting age in Kentucky will be 18 in a legal market. That said, our top offshore sites already allow Kentucky residents aged 18 or above to place online bets on their platforms.
We cannot say convincingly. Kentucky lawmakers renewed their attempts at legalized sports gambling in January 2023, but this is not the first time they have considered legalizing sports gambling. Kentucky lawmakers have been trying unsuccessfully to regulate online wagering for the last five years.
Yes, all the top offshore sportsbooks we have reviewed above offer enticing bonuses to Kentucky-based players. You can check them out in our detailed reviews.
Currently, no one does. The Kentucky Lottery Commission will likely oversee sports betting in a regulated market.
No. You can either be a Kentucky resident or a visitor to the Bluegrass State to place an online bet. All you need is to be of legal gambling age (18 years) to create a sports betting account. Find our more about Kentucky gambling laws here.
Yes, you can play daily fantasy sports in Kentucky via DFS operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, or Yahoo.
Yes, if you stick to the top offshore sites we have recommended for secure online sports betting in Kentucky. These reputable platforms have existed for decades and are considered the most trusted names in the online gaming industry.
DraftKings is not legal in Kentucky. However, like offshore operators, it operates in the legal grey area in Kentucky.
FanDuel is not legal but operates DFS operations in the legal grey area in Kentucky.
Bovada operates legally in Kentucky, and 44 other US states, thanks to a Curacao license.
BetOnline sportsbook has a Panama license to run Kentucky sports betting operations.
MyBookie is one of the newer online betting sites that operate legally in Kentucky.
BetUS is the most trusted and one of the first online sportsbooks in Kentucky. This Curacao-licensed site became operational in 1994.
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