Kentucky is one of the leading states in the country for legal sports betting. If you live within state borders, you have access to several online sportsbooks, and this guide will help you choose the best options for your style of play.
Our top Kentucky sportsbooks are FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, and bet365. These recommendations come from firsthand testing, during which we evaluated each platform’s odds quality, payout speed, bonuses, and mobile app usability. All of these operators are fully licensed in the Bluegrass State, which means you can register and place wagers with complete confidence.
Continue reading to learn what sets each sportsbook apart and how to decide which one is the right fit for you.
Quick facts about KY online sportsbooks
- Kentucky legalized sports betting in March 2023.
- All legal sportsbooks require a license from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC).
- Only KY residents up to 18 years old can place online bets.
Are sportsbooks legal in Kentucky?
Yes, sportsbooks are legal in Kentucky. The Bluegrass State legalized online sports betting with House Bill 551 in March 2023, and sportsbooks launched in September that year. It was around the same time that Ohio sportsbooks went online.
Notably, both retail and online betting are permitted in KY. The market is regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), and sportsbooks require a partnership with racetracks or gaming facilities to operate legally. Also, as a resident, you have to be at least 18 years old to bet.
Top 5 betting sites in Kentucky
From our count, Kentucky has up to eight active online sportsbooks. After signing up and evaluating each one, we settled on the best five below:
FanDuel – Best for sports coverage
- Variety of betting markets
- DFS contests
- Downloadable mobile app
- Not available in all states
On the FanDuel Sportsbook site, we spotted 22+ sports. It's one of the most extensive coverage in Kentucky, and you get all the popular US leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. We were particularly impressed to see esports on FanDuel, although it's just League of Legends, eBasketball, and eSoccer.
Besides listing many sports, FanDuel has competitive odds. The juice stays under 4.5% for top football, basketball, hockey, and baseball games. For less popular categories, the percentage increases, but it still doesn't exceed 10%.
If you join FanDuel in KY, you can claim $150 in bonus bets from the welcome offer. Simply place $5+ on your first wager, and you'll get the reward if you win. This promo is featured for other states besides Kentucky. We saw it during our reviews of top Tennessee sportsbooks, of which FanDuel is one.
DraftKings – Best for NFL betting
- Sports welcome offer
- Diverse range of betting markets
- Separate sportsbook and DFS page
- No phone customer support
- No live chat
Football is the most popular sport for betting in Kentucky, and no league ranks above the NFL. With DraftKings, you can bet on seasonal and playoff events, including pre-game and in-play. Also, the sportsbook features al
