The state of Kentucky is home to the famous Kentucky Derby, one of the biggest horse racing events in the world. Fans of the Derby have a great time watching the horses tear through the race track and placing bets on which horse will win.
However, what many people do not know is that that’s about as far as legal gambling goes in the state. Although many US states have relaxed their gambling laws, Kentucky remains one of the few that completely prohibits betting with real money within the state’s borders.
Legal Forms of Betting in Kentucky
Gambling in the United States is generally legal but the specifics on acceptable gambling forms are defined by each state. This is why legal gambling options vary from one state to the other. Hence, if you’re a gambling enthusiast living in Kentucky, you need to know what is allowed there before engaging in any form of betting.
The Bluegrass State prohibits all forms of real money gambling, both online and offline. As a result, you won’t find any land-based casinos or sportsbooks in the state. There is also no room for online betting in Kentucky because online casino or sportsbook operators haven’t been granted legal permission to operate. Thankfully, residents of the state can still get a form of gambling experience with some legally approved activities.
One of them is parimutuel betting for horse and greyhound racing. This is one form of betting that all Kentucky residents can engage in without any fear of breaking the law as the sport has become part and parcel of the state. For instance, The Kentucky Derby has been held every year for the past century until last year when the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the streak. Betting can be done in-person at licensed racetracks or online at licensed racing betting sites.
Kentucky also has a state lottery for its residents who are 18 years or older to participate in online or at licensed retail businesses. The closest thing to legal online sports betting in the state is online fantasy sports and for online casino lovers, some games can be played at social casinos where no real money is involved.
Kentucky’s Online Betting Future
Kentucky’s lawmakers have begun to make moves to regulate some forms of online gambling in the state. In 2020, a bipartisan bill for the legalization of sports betting and online poker was approved at the committee level but didn’t advance further. This is certainly a big deal for a state with one of the strictest restrictions on gambling in the US.
If you’re a gambling fan living in Kentucky, you can keep your fingers crossed for some good news in the coming years. In the meantime, take advantage of the legal gambling options available for you in the state for a safe and exciting experience. Good luck!
Sources:
- The State of Online Gambling in Kentucky, Mar 16, 2021 – https://www.state-journal.com/sponsored/the-state-of-online-gambling-in-kentucky/article_a3ed64a6-867c-11eb-b35d-6385f64bc041.html
- Kentucky Gambling Laws, FindLaw, June 20, 2016, https://statelaws.findlaw.com/kentucky-law/kentucky-gambling-laws.html
- Despite majority support in Kentucky House, odds were against sports betting bill | Louisville Courier Journal, April 8, 2020 https://amp.courier-journal.com/amp/2970078001
