Kentucky Sports Betting

KY Online Sportsbook Launch Updates for Bettors 2023

Kentucky

Action Network check mark Updated June 13, 2022

Kentucky sports betting will not be legalized yet. Rep. Adam Koenig’s bill (HB 606), which passed the House in March, would have legalized retail and online sports betting through racetracks and casinos. It failed to gain enough Republican support in the Senate in mid-April. It’s the fourth year in a row where legislation has fallen short, and passing a bill next year will be even harder.

Despite the issues standing in the way of sports betting legalization, KY residents can play PrizePicks, which is a leading Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) provider. PrizePicks is a unique over/under platform that prompts users to select their favorite players from KY teams like the Cincinnati Reds or the Tennessee Titans. 

New users can use PrizePicks' promo code worth up to $100 in first-time deposit matching today!

Kentucky Sports Betting Key Takeaways

⚖️ Is online sports betting legal in Kentucky?

No, sports betting is not legal in Kentucky. Residents will likely have to wait until 2024 before they can place online bets in KY.

🗓️ Will sports betting ever come to Kentucky?

HB 606 will not be legalized, as the bill did not have enough Republican support in the Senate. KY will have to overcome several hurdles before sports betting can be legalized by at least 2023 or 2024.

📒 What mobile sportsbooks are available in Kentucky?

None yet, but PrizePicks is a fun and legal alternative.

🏈 Are there other current legal options for sports betting in Kentucky?

No, there are not any current legal options to sports bet in Kentucky. Horse race betting is legal, which makes sense due to the state’s popular race: the Kentucky Derby.

Although sports betting is not legal in Kentucky, fans can play PrizePicks, a DFS provider that is currently available in 30 states. Bettors simply select their favorite players like Ja Morant or Joe Burrow, choose an over/under player prop, and they're entered in to win cash prizes. 

How to Sign up for PrizePicks in Kentucky

  • Step 1. Sign up using our PrizePicks promo code.
  • Step 2. In the app (or on your desktop), select the “Deposit” button in the top right corner of the page. 
  • Step 3. Select the amount of money that you want to deposit and the funding source (PayPal, credit, etc)
  • Step 4. Submit deposit. Once the deposit is submitted and credited to your account, you’ll automatically be given the promotional value matching your initial deposit (up to $100).

Offers

Right Arrow
No promotions available. Try selecting a different location.

KY Sports Betting Overview, Timeline and Background

Kentucky Sports Betting Background

The Kentucky General Assembly ended its 2022 session in mid-April without passing a bill to legalize sports betting, despite support from Gov. Andy Beshear and leadership in both chambers. It’s the fourth year in a row where legislation has fallen short, and passing a bill next year will be even harder.

Rep. Adam Koenig’s bill would have legalized retail and online sports betting through racetracks and casinos and generated an estimated $22.5 million in annual revenue for the state.

It passed the house in March but failed to get enough Republican support in the Senate. With most Senate Democrats on board, there appeared to be enough Senate Republicans on board to meet a 20-vote threshold for passage. The Kentucky GOP typically doesn’t vote unless there’s consensus among themselves, and sources close to the legislature said they came up just four votes shy of meeting that majority.

Lawmakers will likely drum up another bill next year, but odd-numbered sessions in Kentucky are limited to just 30 days and require a three-fifths majority to pass bills.

Most of Kentucky’s neighbor states have already legalized sports betting. More than a third of Kentucky counties border its legal neighbor states, which is about 2.4 million people. Last year those states made a combined $173.1 million off sports betting taxes—about $34 million a state.

Kentucky Sports Betting Tips

Basketball icon Sports Betting for Beginners

If you’re new to sports betting, you likely have questions: How much should you be betting? Where should you be betting on the Kentucky Wildcats? How do you find the best odds? Every sport and bet type comes with different nuances. Our sports betting tips for beginners can help you make savvier decisions come game time.

Baseball icon Sports Betting Glossary

Sports betting comes with its own language and terminology -- favorites and underdogs, spreads and money lines, over/unders and props, juice and vig and so much more. It can all be a bit overwhelming and intimidating for newer betting enthusiasts, so be sure to consult our sports betting glossary for detailed definitions on all the main terms.

Football icon Sports Betting Mistakes to Avoid

Sports betting isn't easy. It’s important to stay disciplined and not overextend yourself. There will always be ups and downs, but if you stay true to our sports betting mistakes to avoid, your sports betting experience will be a much more enjoyable one.

Casinos

Right Arrow
No promotions available. Try selecting a different location.

Kentucky Highlights

Kentucky Lawmaker Introduces Sports Betting Bill

Despite promising signs in 2020, Kentucky still doesn't have legal sports betting. Thanks to a new bill proposed by State Rep. Adam Koenig in 2022, voters and betters have new hope.

Kentucky Sports Betting Gains Little Traction as 2021 Session Concludes

A little more than a year ago, Kentucky sports betting legislation had cleared a key legislative committee without opposition and appeared to be one of the nation’s likeliest legalization candidates. Two completed legislative sessions and one generational pandemic later, Kentucky sports betting is still illegal and its future remains bleak.

Court Cases Shake Up Kentucky Gaming But Sports Betting Obstacles Remain

Two major court decisions this year have altered the playing field for Kentucky’s already limited gaming options, possibly adding more variables to the state’s already precarious sports betting hopes.

Kentucky Sports Betting Supporters Hope For 2021 Success Despite Legislative Hurdles

Sports betting backers in the Kentucky legislature are hoping, once again, to approve sports betting as early as 2021, even as political and logistical hurdles remain.

Kentucky Teams

Kentucky team logo Kentucky Wildcats
NCAA
Louisville football Louisville Cardinals
NCAA
Murray State logo Murray State Racers
NCAA
Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
NCAA
Eastern Kentucky logo Eastern Kentucky Colonels
NCAA

Kentucky Teams to Bet on

While Kentucky is yet to be home to a professional sports team, it has no shortage of college teams to bet on:

College Sports Teams

Kentucky is a hub for college basketball and football. The Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals consistently field great teams –– which allows for interesting bet opportunities.

NCAA football icon logo College Football Betting

Kentucky team logo Kentucky Wildcats Football

While not the university's most successful program, Kentucky football has built a decent program over the last few decades. They also boast a proud history. Remember Paul "Bear" Bryant? Well before Bryant won six National Championships at Alabama, he coached the Wildcats for eight seasons.

The Wildcats have a 638-635-44 all-time record and a 12-9 bowl record. They claim one National Championship (1950) and have a four-game bowl win streak since winning the Citrus Bowl in the 2018 season. They're led by coach Mark Stoops –– who landed them the 13th best recruiting class in 2022.

Kentucky Wildcats Odds

Louisville football Louisville Cardinals Football

Johnny Unitas, Lamar Jackson, Jay Gruden and Teddy Bridgewater. These are just a few names that donned red and black jerseys during their college days. The Cardinals have both historic and recent success.

Louisville had a Heisman-winning quarterback and a top 10 ranking most of the season in 2016 –– which was one of the best years in program history. Since then, they've been through coaching changes and a slight rebuild. Since coach Scott Satterfield took over in 2019, the Cardinals have an 18-19 record with two bowl appearances. 

Louisville Cardinals Odds

Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Football

With coaches like Jack Harbaugh, Willie Taggart, Bobby Petrino and Jeff Brohm all coaching the Hilltoppers at some point in their careers, Western Kentucky serves as a launching point for great coaching careers. In turn, this has brought the program a lot of success over the years. The Hilltoppers have a 587-409-31 all-time record, a 9-5 bowl record and an FCS National Championship win in 2002.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Odds

Eastern Kentucky logo Eastern Kentucky Colonels Football

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels are located in Richmond, Kentucky, and play their home games at Roy Kidd Stadium. They compete in the Division I FCS division and joined the ASUN conference in 2021. They have a 602-386-38 all-time record and a 4-3 record in bowls. They claim two FCS National Championships, one in 1979 and the other in 1982

Eastern Kentucky Colonels Odds

NCAA Basketball LogoCollege Basketball Betting

Kentucky team logo Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball

The winningest team in college basketball history resides in Lexington, Kentucky, at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats are the pinnacle of college hoops success. They have 2,327 wins, the all-time greatest winning percentage (.765), eight National Titles and are consistently on top of the recruiting rankings.

They're led by coach John Calipari. Calipari is the 17th winningest head coach in college basketball history and has four––six if you count the vacated ones –– Final Four appearances. Their 2022 team is currently a top-10 team, making them a safe team to bet on.

Kentucky Wildcats Odds

Louisville basketball logo Louisville Cardinals Men's Basketball

Despite a constant overshadowing by their neighbors in Lexington, the Cardinals are one of the most decorated college hoops programs in Division I. They technically have two National Titles since their third win (in 2013) was vacated.

The Cardinals are going through growing pains in 2022. Former Xavier coach Chris Mack coached the Cardinals from 2018 to 2022, but was let go in January 2022. Mike Pegues is their interim coach. 

Louisville Cardinals Odds

Murray State logo Murray State Racers Men's Basketball

True to the state's horse racing background, the Murray State Racers are a team that can get hot at any moment. They have 17 NCAA tournament appearances and a slew of All-American players in their team's history. Most notably, 2019 NBA second overall pick Ja Morant played for Murray State, proving that top talent can wind up in Murray, Kentucky.

Murray State Racers Odds

Other Events

Horse Racing

Each May, thousands of people flock to the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, for the world-famous Kentucky Derby. The most talented Thoroughbred horses in the world compete in the one and one-fourth mile-long race. Because of this, a ridiculous amount of bets are placed on it. 2021 saw $155.4 million in total bets placed on the race. Horse gambling is legal in Kentucky, so betters can easily gamble on which horse they think will win.

2022 Kentucky Derby Futures Odds & Prep Races

Kentucky Sports Gambling Locations

Kentucky Derby

The most popular horse race in the world takes place at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby has ran annually since 1875. The most talented Thoroughbred horses compete in the one and one-fourth mile-long race. Horse gambling is legal in Kentucky, so gamblers can easily bet on which horse they think will win.

Kentucky stadium
Steve Petrella is a senior editor for The Action Network covering college football, among other things. He’s a Penn State grad now based in Atlanta who enjoys great punting, clock-killing drives and turnovers in the red zone.
More from Steve Petrella

Kentucky News

See All
  • Kentucky Sports Betting Bill Dead for 2022

    Sam McQuillan
    Apr 15, 2022 UTC
  • Kentucky Senator Promises to Take Up Sports Betting Before It's Too Late

    Sam McQuillan
    Mar 29, 2022 UTC
  • Kentucky House Passes Sports Betting Legalization Bill

    Sam McQuillan
    Mar 18, 2022 UTC
  • Kentucky Lawmaker Introduces Sports Betting Bill

    Sam McQuillan
    Feb 28, 2022 UTC

Kentucky Sports Betting FAQ
Commonly asked questions about sports betting in The Bluegrass State.
Is online sports betting legal in Kentucky?
Right Arrow
Will sports betting ever come to Kentucky?
Right Arrow
Are there any current legal options for sports betting in Kentucky?
Right Arrow
Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Kentucky?
Right Arrow
Who should I bet on in the 2022 Kentucky Derby?
Right Arrow