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Оnline gambling in Kentucky is readily available, despite a complicated legal landscape. Players from the Bluegrass State can enjoy internationally licensed casinos with great games, big bonuses, and top-notch security to keep their personal information and bankroll safe.
In our guide to gambling in Kentucky, we’ll highlight the best online casinos available in the state, explain the key legislation surrounding gambling, and provide tips to help you choose the perfect place to play.
We only recommend casinos that our experts feel comfortable playing at themselves. However, not every site was created equal. Casinos excel in different areas, which can make it tricky to find the best place for you to play. Take a look at some of the top-rated casinos available to Kentuckians and what they’re best at.
DuckyLuck is our top-rated online casino which accepts Kentucky residents. The impressive welcome bonus of 500% up to $7,500 is well above the 200% or 300% that other casinos offer. For loyal players, the VIP program is a real highlight and offers daily bonuses of up to 395% as well as cashback, free spins, and priority payouts.
The perks are boosted further if players choose to deposit and withdraw exclusively with cryptocurrency. DuckyLuck accepts deposits via Bitcoin as well as Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, and Dogecoin. For withdrawals, Bitcoin is a fee-free option with a comparatively low minimum payout of $25.
The sizeable game library features more than 430 titles, including A Day at the Derby and Streetball Star, which will appeal to sports fans in the state.
We found that the vast majority of games, including the live dealer titles, are optimized for mobile play on iOS and Android devices. Couple that with the 24/7 customer support via live chat, and it becomes clear that DuckyLuck is an excellent all-around casino that caters to the needs of most players.
When it comes to playing on a mobile, Bovada is the best choice for players from Kentucky. The Bovada mobile website can be accessed via iOS, Android, Windows, and Blackberry devices. There is no need to download any software as the full range of slots, live dealer, and table games can be played in the browser through landscape and portrait modes.
The inclusion of titles specifically designed for mobile play, such as the Double Deck Blackjack game, which features a customizable interface, is above and beyond what most casinos offer.
Further, mobile navigation is easy. High-contrast buttons along the top and bottom of the screen allow players to move around the site easily, while the Account section in the top right corner leads to the cashier as well as Bovada’s extensive FAQ section.
Las Atlantis has seven unique welcome bonus promotions which Kentucky players can choose from, the largest of which could see you claim as much as $14,000 in matched bonuses. The 280% match is capped at $2,800 but can be used up to five times. To be eligible to use the bonus code, you’ll need to deposit a minimum of $10 via Neosurf, $20 via cryptocurrency, or $30 via credit card (Visa/Mastercard).
This bonus is subject to a 35x deposit + bonus wagering requirement. While this is on the higher end, a maximum bet of $10 makes it more reasonable. Many other casinos limit the maximum bet for bonuses to $5, which means KY players have to place more wagers to clear the requirements.
The bonus funds can be used to play slots, keno, scratch cards, and board games which contribute 100% towards clearing the requirement. Card games such as blackjack and poker contribute 20%, and roulette games 10%, which is significantly more than the industry standard of 5%.
If you’re looking to withdraw your money quickly, Cafe Casino is the best choice for Kentucky players. The site processes payouts via a host of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, player transfers, bank wire, checks, and MatchPay, which can facilitate eWallet payments. Withdrawals are free via all methods, except check, which incurs a $75 fee.
Cafe Casino offers withdrawals faster than its competitors because payouts begin processing immediately following the request, whereas many other casinos have staff members approving each transaction manually, which causes delays.
Kentucky is known for its large cryptocurrency mining industry. Fans of digital coins can expect their payouts to arrive up to 24 hours after submitting a request, but they usually arrive quicker.
We save the best for last: MatchPay payouts are processed instantly, making them the fastest way to withdraw your winnings. Player transfers take 15 minutes, while checks take the longest at up to seven days. This is still better than the industry standard because most casinos will process checks to KY players in 10-15 working days.
Gamblers in the Bluegrass State can play an exciting range of more than 50 jackpot slots, bingo, and poker games at Slots.lv.
Jackpots start from a few hundred dollars (Indiana Jane) up to millions in prize money (Shopping Spree). Minimum bets vary based on the game you play but tend to start at less than $1 and stretch to around $500. Derby Dollars, a popular title based on the Kentucky Derby, may be of particular interest to players from the state. It features scatter and wild symbols, 20 paylines, and a progressive jackpot which usually sits around $25,000.
Slots.lv also has a range of innovative and hard-to-find Hot Drop Jackpots in which the prize is guaranteed to be won in a certain timeframe. The prizes are available across a range of popular games, including Temple of Athena, Golden Buffalo, and 777 Deluxe.
| Operator | Welcome Bonus | Number of Games | Live Casino | Banking Methods | Read Review | Visit Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DuckyLuck | 500% up to $7,500 | 430 | Yes | Credit/Debit Cards, Crypto | Read Review | Play now! |
| Bovada | 100% up to $3,000 | 250 | Yes | Credit/Debit Cards, Crypto, Player Transfer, MatchPay (eWallets), Bank Transfer | Read Review | Play now! |
| Las Atlantis | 280% up to $14,000 | 150 | Yes | Credit/Debit Cards, Crypto, Flexepin, Neosurf | Read Review | Play now! |
| Cafe Casino | 350% up to $2,500 | 200 | Yes | Credit/Debit Cards, Crypto, Player Transfer, MatchPay, Bank Transfer | Read Review | Play now! |
| Slots.lv | 250% up to $1,500 | 200 | Yes | Credit/Debit Cards, Crypto, Player Transfer, MatchPay, Bank Transfer | Read Review | Play now! |
From game availability and bonuses to customer support and payout speeds, there is a lot to think about when evaluating online casinos. To rank the top sites available to residents of Kentucky, we took the following aspects into account:
It should go without saying, but we only recommend casinos that accept residents of Kentucky. If the site doesn’t accept Wildcat fans, you won’t find it featured here.
The safety of your funds, data, and personal information is our top priority, which is why we have a multi-step process to determine each site’s legitimacy. The state of Kentucky does not license casino sites. However, independent, third-party bodies license and regulate casinos worldwide. We favor online casinos which are audited for security and fairness by regulators such as the Curaçao eGaming Commission.
As well as the size and variety of the promotions, we look at the wagering requirements and game contribution rates. For example, Kentuckians tend to play slots and blackjack more than other casino games. That’s why we prefer sites with promotions that can be used to play them both. Bonuses should be fair, and their conditions must be achievable in order to rank highly.
Did you know Kentucky is one of the top ten states for cryptocurrency mining? We look for casinos that accept popular payment options such as Visa, Mastercard, and crypto and then check that their minimum and maximum limits are reasonable.
One of the key benefits of playing online is that the casinos can stock an enormous variety of games compared to Kentucky’s land-based racinos. Sites with many variations of popular games, like slots and roulette, are preferred.
At a minimum, each site should have a live chat that is available 24 hours a day. However, we favor sites with around-the-clock support via toll-free telephone numbers for Kentucky residents too.
Offshore online casinos are available in Kentucky, though they have not yet been licensed by or formally allowed to operate by state authorities. There are no Kentucky laws specifically addressing online casinos, and as such, the state does not regulate them. However, that doesn’t mean that offshore casinos are against the law either.
Players from Kentucky can enjoy online casinos which are licensed and regulated internationally. Sites that accept players from the state operate outside of the United States and are available to all those of legal gambling age, which is 18 in Kentucky.
These online casinos are legalized by authorities in other jurisdictions. Many of them are also licensed and regulated by international bodies such as the Curaçao eGaming Board, which audit them for fairness and security.
Kentucky has some of the strictest gambling laws in the United States. However, with horse racing and college basketball being so popular in the Bluegrass State, sports betting was legalized in March 2023. Here is a look at the availability of other types of gambling in Kentucky:
| Land-Based Casinos | Not available |
| In-Person Sports Betting | Available |
| Online Sports Betting | Available |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Available |
| Online Horse Racing Betting | Available |
| Racetracks | Available |
| Lottery | Available |
| Tribal Casinos | Not available |
| Online Poker | Not available |
| Legal Gambling age | 18 |
Unfortunately, there are no traditional brick-and-mortar casinos in Kentucky as of July 2023. The good news is that most racetracks around the state have instant racing machines as well as traditional slot games. You’ll find dedicated gambling areas at the following tracks:
| Casino | Number of Games | Types of Games | Address | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Racing and Gambling | 500 | Slots, Instant Racing | 1723 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071 | https://www.newportrg.com/ |
| Derby City Gaming | 1,000 | Slots, Instant Racing | 4520 Poplar Level Rd, Louisville, KY 40213 | https://www.derbycitygaming.com/ |
| The Mint, Kentucky Downs | 1,000 | Slots, Instant Racing | 5629 Nashville Rd, Franklin, KY 42134 | https://themintgaming.com/ |
| Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel | 1,200 | Slots, Instant Racing | 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262 | https://www.oakgrovegaming.com/ |
| Turfway Park Racing & Gaming | 800 | Slots, Instant Racing | 7500 Turfway Rd, Florence, KY 41042 | https://www.turfway.com/ |
| Ellis Park Racing & Gaming | 300 | Slots, Instant Racing | 3300 US Hwy 41 N, Henderson, KY 42420 | https://ellisparkracing.com/ |
The state of Kentucky taxes gambling proceeds at a flat rate of 6% on winnings minus your stakes. If you win more than $600 through gambling in Kentucky, the money is likely to be taxable at the state rate in addition to federal income tax.
In order to pay the federal tax, gambling winnings must be reported on Form W-2G when you win more than $1,200 on slots or bingo, $1,500 on keno, $5,000 from a lottery or pool bet win, and $600 or more through other gambling endeavors where the payout is at least 300x the stake. Note that you are allowed to deduct gambling losses, but only up to the amount of the win.
Kentucky has a long history with gambling, and it’s no secret that horse racing has dominated conversation within the state. Perhaps it’s this focus on horse racing that has caused casino gambling to become an afterthought in the Kentucky legislature.
In 1881, the newly adopted Constitution of Kentucky banned all forms of gambling except pari-mutuel wagering. Pari-mutuel betting became popular in the 1920s and was ratified in the law in a 1931 decision by the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
However, casino games remained banned within the state for decades with little legal movement. It would take until 1988 for Kentucky residents to vote for a state lottery. The first tickets were sold in 1989, and the lottery was an instant success with more than $68 million in sales.
In 1992, The General Assembly of the state amended the constitution in order to allow charitable gambling through bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, and mega wheels without cash prizes. Throughout the two decades which followed, there were numerous attempts to permit casino gambling in the state through the General Assembly. However, none of them were successfully passed.
In 2011, Kentucky Downs installed instant-racing terminals, which were quickly adopted by other racetracks around the state. These systems are based on historical horse races but function and play in a similar way to slot machines.
In 2020, bills to introduce casino gambling (BR 80) as well as online poker (BR 364) were introduced to the 2021 General Assembly. Unfortunately, neither passed.
Despite the current boom in slot-like pari-mutuel betting in Kentucky, it’s unclear when casino gambling will be legalized in the state. The recent ban on ‘grey machines‘ may indicate that the legalization of casinos is a distant dream.
Grey machines (named so because they were considered the grey areas from a legal perspective) were essentially slot games that had a small amount of skill involved in that the player could ‘nudge’ the reels following a spin to try and match symbols. In March 2023, it was ruled that the machines do not require enough skill to be exempt from the prohibition of games of chance.
Nevertheless, hope is not lost. The success of the lottery and racinos have laid the foundations for the potential introduction of casino gambling legislation in the future. As we see more and more states embrace casinos, Kentucky could very well be on the horizon.
| Bonus | Find a Casino | Description | Min Deposit | Requirements | Available Games | OtherTerms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | Las Atlantis | 280% up to $14,000 | $10 | 35x deposit + bonus | Slots, Scratch cards, Keno and Board Games (all 100%), Blackjack and Poker(20%), Roulette (5%) | High maximum bet of $10 |
| Free Spins Bonus | DuckyLuck | 500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins | $25 | 30x deposit + bonus | Mystic Wolf (50 spins), Golden Gorilla (50 spins), Five Times Wins (50 spins) | The Player’s account balance must be 30x the win amount on the free spins before they can apply for a withdrawal. |
| Crypto Welcome Bonus | Slots.lv | 300% match up to $1,500 (first deposit) with a 150% up to $750 on the following eight deposits for a total of $7,500. | $20 | 35x deposit + bonus | 2D slots, keno, and scratch cards only | Subject to a maximum bet of 20% of the deposit amount |
| Loyalty Program | Bovada | Reward points which can be exchanged for cash bonuses | $10 | N/A | All games except live dealer. | There is no time limit as you move up tiers at Bovada, meaning you will never lose your status |
| Weekly Mystery Bonus | Cafe Casino | An exclusive deposit bonus will be delivered to your account every Thursday | Variable | Variable | Slots (100%), Table Games (20%), Video Poker (10%), Roulette, Baccarat, Single and Double Deck Blackjack (5%) | Live Dealer games do not contribute towards clearing the wagering requirements |
Kentucky may be the home of horse racing, but casino enthusiasts will also find plenty to shout about in the Bluegrass State. Here are the most popular games available online:
Also found at casinos throughout the state, slots are by far the most popular casino game in Kentucky. The wide range of themes means that even Kentucky’s sports fans can enjoy spinning the reels. For example, Bovada has slots games themed around hockey (Hockey Enforcers), racing (Derby Dollars), cricket (Cricket Legends), basketball (Streetball Star,) and soccer (Zombie F.C.).
Blackjack is a favorite amongst card players in Kentucky. The classic table game appeals to beginners because it’s easy to learn, but the impact of using a blackjack strategy can excite veteran gamblers too. Versions of Single Deck Blackjack, like the one found at Cafe Casino, offer a low house edge of less than 1% and some of the most player-friendly odds of any casino game.
Roulette is popular all over the world, so it should be no surprise that it’s a favorite amongst Kentucky residents. The simple bets, great odds, and favorable payouts have all led players to put their chips on the table. European Roulette at Ignition Casino has a low house edge of just 2.7%, so it’s well worth placing an outside bet to see how you like the game.
Gambling is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby, but sometimes people can fall into bad habits. In order to gamble responsibly, set a strict budget that you can comfortably afford to lose. Avoid playing with tilt, take regular breaks, and never chase your losses. If you or someone you know may be suffering from a gambling problem, seek help immediately.
The following services are available to residents of Kentucky:
KENTUCKY COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING
Website: www.kycpg.org and
NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE
Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
Text: 1-800-GAMBLER
