KY Sports Betting: Best Kentucky Sports Betting Sites 2023

KY Sports Betting: Best Kentucky Sports Betting Sites 2023

Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?

OnlineOffline
YesYes

Table Of Contents:

When did Sports Betting become legal in Kentucky

Kentucky officially launched legalized betting on September 7, 2023, while online sports betting followed on September 28.

This article will highlight the best Kentucky sportsbooks that are now available to use. All of the Kentucky betting apps that we highlight will include their welcome offer. On top of that, we will also include the steps you can take to register for the Kentucky betting sites and get bonus bets.

Top 5 Kentucky betting apps

The table below will list all of the Kentucky sports betting apps and Kentucky sportsbooks that launched on September 28. Each of the Kentucky betting apps included will give you their expected welcome offer and our rating out of five.

RankSportsbookWelcome Offer + CodePickswise Rating
#1DraftKings Sportsbook
Bet $5, Get $150 instantly in Bonus Bets + Get a No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day of NBA Playoffs
👑👑👑
4.8/5
#2FanDuel Sportsbook
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If your bet wins
🏈🏈🏈
4.7/5
#3BetMGM Sportsbook
$1,500 First Bet Insurance
🦁🦁🦁
4.6/5
#4Bet365 Sportsbook
Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets OR $1,000 Back If Your First Bet Loses
🤑🤑🤑
4.5/5
#5Caesars Sportsbook
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
💰💰💰
4.5/5

Best Kentucky online sportsbooks 2023

The five best sports betting apps set to be available in Kentucky include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Bet365 and Caesars.

Best Kentucky sports betting sites reviewed

Each of the Kentucky betting sites and Kentucky sports betting apps listed below will provide you with additional information about their welcome offer and why we would recommend using them now that Kentucky has launched sports betting.

DraftKings Sportsbook Kentucky

The best sports betting app in Kentucky is DraftKings. They are a highly rated sportsbook because they offer free betting pools that can earn you money just by making predictions on select sports. New users can also claim one of the best welcome offers currently available with the Draftkings promo code 

DraftKings welcome offer

New customers who sign up for a new account with DraftKings and place a first bet of $5 or more will receive $150 in bonus bets instantly, no matter the outcome of the first bet. You can also claim a No Sweat Bet token on Same Game Parlays every day of the NBA playoffs.

Why you should bet with DraftKings 

The main reason I like using DraftKings is because of their market variety. I can always find something unique to bet with them, giving me more chances to find value.

Welcome Bonus:🤑Bet $5, Get $150 instantly in Bonus Bets + Get a No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day of NBA Playoffs🤑
Legal in Kentucky from:September 28, 2023
Available Platforms:Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail Expected
Payout Speed:1 to 7 Days
Best Feature:Market Variety
Pickswise Rating:4.8/5

FanDuel Sportsbook Kentucky

FanDuel is also an excellent sportsbook, known for their very popular fantasy sports offering. Now, it is one of the best sports betting apps in Kentucky because they offer the best Same Game Parlays experience. FanDuel also offer a high value sign-up offer with the FanDuel Kentucky promo code.

FanDuel welcome offer

New customers can claim $150 in bonus bets from a $5 wager. Once your first bet settles, you'll receive your bonus bets so long as your bet wins. There is no odds restriction tied to your qualifying wager, so you can back a big favorite.

Why you should bet with FanDuel 

I would recommend betting with FanDuel because they offer daily fantasy contests that can be entered for as little as a few dollars and can earn you big prizes.

Welcome Bonus:💲Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If your bet wins💲
Legal in Kentucky from:September 28, 2023
Available Platforms:Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail Expected
Payout Speed:1 to 7 Days
Best Feature:🎳Same Game Parlays🎳
Pickswise Rating:4.7/5

BetMGM Sportsbook Kentucky

BetMGM is another big name sportsbook that made our list of the best sports betting apps in Kentucky because of their extensive live betting markets that offer plenty of opportunities to bet while a game is being played. The BetMGM Kentucky promo code also helps you get started with a welcome bonus.

BetMGM welcome offer

BetMGM Sportsbook's New-user promotion gives a $1,500 first bet insurance. Just make a first bet up to $1,500, and if that bet loses, you'll get it back in bonus bets.

Why you should bet with BetMGM

One of the reasons I use BetMGM is because they have a friend referral program that I can use to earn bonus bets by inviting my friends to join.

Welcome Bonus:$1,500 First Bet Insurance
Legal in Kentucky from:28th September 2023
Available Platforms:Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail
Payout Speed:2 to 7 Days
Best Feature:🔥Live Betting🔥
Pickswise Rating:4.6/5

Bet365 Sportsbook Kentucky

Fourth on the list of the best sports betting apps in Kentucky is Bet365 because of the live streaming feature they offer all their customers on a daily basis. Whilst perhaps not a big name in the US yet, Bet365 are an experienced sportsbook with decades of experience in the UK and elsewhere. To attract new customers they are offering a Bet365 Kentucky promo code.

Bet365 welcome offer

New Bet365 customers can choose between two welcome offers. The first gives $150 in bonus bets from a $5 first wager, whatever its outcome. The second is first-bet insurance worth up to $1,000. You'll get your first bet back in bonuses if it doesn't win, up to the $1,000 maximum.

Why you should bet with Bet365 

I would bet with Bet365 because of the existing customer promotions they offer. This can include parlay boosts and early payout offers for MLB.

Welcome Bonus:💰Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets OR $1,000 Back If Your First Bet Loses💰
Legal in Kentucky from:September 28, 2023
Available Platforms:Expected: Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail
Payout Speed:1 to 5 Days
Best Feature:📺Live Streaming📺
Pickswise Rating:4.5/5

Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky

Last but not least is Caesars Sportsbook. Caesars are a great option for those looking to get started on sports betting in Kentucky because of their highly regarded rewards program which gives out great bonuses to new and existing customers on a regular basis. Get a taste for their promotions with the Caesars Kentucky Promo Code.

Caesars welcome offer

Caesars is offering first-bet insurance to all new customers who sign up for a new account and place a first deposit of $10+. If your first wager loses, you'll get your wager amount back in a bonus bet worth up to $1,000. Just enter the Caesars promo code PICKSWISE1000 at sign-up.

Why you should bet with Caesars

I would bet with Caesars because of the existing customer rewards they offer. These rewards can be used at several destinations and can be used across discounted hotel stays, dining offers, casino play, and more.

Welcome Bonus:💰$1,000 First Bet on Caesars💰
Promo Code:PICKSWISE1000
Legal in Kentucky from:September 28, 2023
Available Platforms:Expected: Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail
Payout Speed:1 to 5 Days
Best Feature:🎁Caesars Rewards🎁
Pickswise Rating:4.5/5

How we rate the best betting apps in Kentucky

We rate the Kentucky sports betting apps based on the quality of the welcome offer, market variety, existing customer promotion, available features and payout speed.

Kentucky sports betting overview

The table below will give you some basic information to consider when gearing up to use Kentucky betting apps and Kentucky sportsbooks ahead of the online sports betting launch. 

Retail Sportsbooks:Launched September 7, 2023
Online Sportsbooks:Launched September 28, 2023
Legal Betting Age:18+ (DraftKings, BetMGM, and Bet365)
21+ (FanDuel, Caesars)
Betting Sites:Up to 27
College Sports Betting:Yes ✅
Esports Betting:Yes ✅
Online Casinos:No ❌
Retail Casinos:No ❌
Last Verified:August 23, 2023

Kentucky sports betting news

The Kentucky sports betting legislation process has been ongoing for several years with many failed attempts. However, they have finally legalized sports betting and it is coming in September. Below we have listed the important events in the process legalizing sports betting in Kentucky:

  • January 7, 2020: HB 137 fails to pass that would legalize sports betting, poker online and daily fantasy
  • January 9, 2021: HB 241 also fails to pass
  • February 23, 2022: SB 213 is introduced, but fails to pass
  • February 28, 2022: HB 606 is introduced
  • March 18, 2022: HB 606 passes the House
  • April 14, 2022: HB 606 fails to pass the Senate
  • February 22, 2023: HB 551 is proposed
  • March 13, 2023: HB 551 passes the House
  • March 30, 2023: HB 551 passes the Senate
  • March 31, 2023: Governor Andy Beshear signs HB 551 into law, legalizing online and retail sports betting
  • July 10, 2023: It is announced that retail sports betting will go live on September 7th, 2023, while online will launch on September 28th, 2023
  • August 17, 2023: Announced that pre-registration will begin on August 28th, 2023
  • September 7, 2023: Retail sports betting launches in several locations across Kentucky
  • September 28, 2023: Online sports betting launches. Sports betting is now fully legal in Kentucky through authorised sportsbooks.

How to register with an online sportsbook in Kentucky

Pre-registration begins for Kentucky on August 28, 2023. Customers will be allowed to start signing up for Kentucky betting apps and claiming the welcome bonuses they are expected to offer. Below we have a guide to walk you through these steps:

  1. Select the sportsbook you would like to use
  2. Click “Sign Up”
  3. Enter any required promo code to claim that sportsbooks promo code
  4. Enter your account information
  5. Confirm your account

Are Kentucky online sportsbooks legal and legit?

Yes. Retail Kentucky sportsbooks went live on September 7 and online sports betting in Kentucky followed on September 28, all of the Kentucky betting sites and Kentucky betting apps will be legal and safe to use.

It is also important to stress that the age requirements will be different depending on which of the Kentucky betting sites and Kentucky sports betting apps that you use. For most of the Kentucky sportsbooks, you will only need to be at least 18 years of age (DraftKings, BetMGM and Bet365), while a few will require you to be at least 21 years of age (Caesars and FanDuel).

FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?

Not quite yet. Online sports betting in Kentucky will become legal on September 28, 2023.

Kentucky sports betting apps and Kentucky sportsbooks will launch on September 7, 2023 for retail and September 28, 2023 for online.

Caesars is expected to be the best betting site in Kentucky because of their smooth app experience and the rewards program they offer with exclusive benefits.

No. The Kentucky betting apps and Kentucky betting sites will be available to anyone who meets the age requirements as long as they are located within the state borders.

Bet365 is expected to have the fastest payout times in Kentucky with withdrawals taking place in 1 to 5 days.