How to Start Sports Betting in Kentucky: A 4-Step Guide

Legal online sports betting is officially live in Kentucky. If you're new to the sports betting realm and reside in the Bluegrass State, we've detailed a comprehensive guide on how to start placing bets at sportsbooks.

Step 1: Choosing a Sportsbook

There are several major sportsbooks that have launched in Kentucky — each offering their own new user bonus offers upon signing up.

The legal betting age in Kentucky is 18+, but most sportsbooks require bettors to be 21+ regardless of location. The only sportsbooks with 18+ requirements are bet365 and DraftKings. bet365 if offering new users $365 in bonus bets if they place a wager of $1 or more. DraftKings' new user promotion is a bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets offer.

BetMGM Kentucky is giving a choice between a $1,500 first bet on the house or a bet $10, get $200 bonus offer.

FanDuel Kentucky has a bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets promo while Caesars Kentucky is bet $50, get $250 in bonus value.

Then there's Fanatics Sportsbook, which is offering a promo that allows you to choose an official jersey after placing a $50 bet.

We advise you sign up for at least a couple of sportsbooks so you can shop for the best lines. For this sign up example, we'll talk through the BetMGM sign-up process.

Step 2: Signing Up for a Sportsbook 

Once you've downloaded the BetMGM Sportsbook app, you can create an account by following these steps:

1. You must be inside Kentucky (the app's geolocation will know your location).
2. Accept the Terms & Conditions
3. Set your security questions
4. Confirm your age and eligibility.
5. You must have access to a valid deposit method. Credit cards, bank account transfers, and PayPal are the most popular, though some credit cards will flag gambling and not allow you to deposit.

Step 3: Depositing Cash Online

Unlike some other states in the past, Kentucky allows you to deposit online rather than in person.

Once you're ready to add funds into your account, here's a step-by-step of what there is to do:

1. Log in to your account
2. Select the gold "Deposit" button in the top right-hand corner of the screen (to the left of your current available funds)
3. Pick your preferred payment method
4. Choose the total funds you'd like to deposit (minimum $10)
5. Click the gold "Deposit $X USD" button

When it comes to your preferred deposit method, there are an array of choices you can use. Note that each one varies in the time it takes for payouts to go through:

• Online Banking: payout takes 1-3 business days
• Debit/Credit Cards: 2 business days, Visa 3-5 business days
• PayPal: Within 24 hours
• MGM Rewards Mastercard: Within 24 hours on the card
• e-Check: 3-5 business days or longer
• PayNearMe: 2 business days
• Wire Transfer: 3-5 business days
• PlayMGM Play+ Card: Within 6 hours on the card
• Promo Code
• In-person Cage (New Jersey, Michigan, and Mississippi only) – within 72 hours
• Mailed Check (New Jersey only) – 7-20 business days

Step 4: Placing a First Bet

Once you're squared away with signing up and have deposited money into your account, you can place a bet on any listed sport or market offered by the sportsbook. In this case, you can use BetMGM bonus code TOPACTION for a first bet on the house of up to $1,5000 or BetMGM bonus code ACTIONGET for $200 in guaranteed bonus bets with a minimum of $10 wagers.

The bonus codes would be entered upon sign up.

With the first bet on the house, you can place a wager of any amount up to $1,500 and if it loses, BetMGM will reimburse your loss. The other offer will bank the $250 regardless of how your first bet results. So with either offer, you are getting return value whether win or lose.

More News on Kentucky Sports Betting 

• Kentucky Sports Betting Timeline and Available Sportsbooks
• Can I Still Get Kentucky Sports Betting Bonuses if I Signed Up at DraftKings, FanDuel in Other States?