Best Kentucky Sports Betting Apps & Sportsbooks in 2025

Kentucky sports betting went live in the state in 2023, giving bettors in the state access to regulated retail, online, and mobile sports betting. While these options opened the door for KY gamblers, many bettors found the odds, sports coverage, and promotional offers at offshore sportsbooks to be even better.

We introduce you to 10 of the best offshore Kentucky sportsbooks available to bettors in the Bluegrass State. You can also find out everything you need to know about wagering on sports in KY from what’s legal and what’s not to which are the best teams to back and promos to claim. We’ll also list all the best Kentucky sportsbook bonuses.

Best Kentucky Sports Betting Sites & Apps in 2025

Our experts tested and explored all the online Kentucky sports betting sites available and found those listed below to be the best:

1. BetOnline – The No.1 Best Sports Betting Site Overall in Kentucky
2. BetUS – Participate in Hot Sports Betting Tournaments for Top Payouts
3. BetWhale – Unlimited Deposits Using Crypto for High Stakes Betting
4. Bovada – Has the Most Competitive Futures Odds on the Kentucky Derby
5. BetNow – Unlock a 10% Weekly Rebate on All Horse Racing Bets
6. CoinCasino – Offers the Fastest Withdrawals and Instant Payouts
7. Everygame – Get the Best Odds on the Biggest Esports Tournaments
8. MyBookie – Join the New MyBookie VIP Program for Higher Betting Limits
9. SportsBetting – Features Thrilling Reload Promos like a Red Card Refund
10. XBet – Engage in Seamless Live Betting on Mobile for Wagering on the Go

Top 5 Kentucky Sportsbooks & Betting Apps Reviewed

Get to know the top five Kentucky sports betting platforms on our list even better by reading through the reviews below:

1. BetOnline (9.8/10) – The No.1 Best Sports Betting Site Overall in Kentucky

BetOnline is the hottest site for sports betting in Kentucky. While the platform has been around for decades, it offers the latest innovations, including Bet TV, where you can get the top picks from the pros on all upcoming events and tips on how to strike those high-payout bets.

Combining these tips and picks with BetOnline’s early release of its betting markets allows you to access the best prices on leading sports events. Additionally, BetOnline uses algorithms and sharp betting action to set its odds and lines, so you have competitive pricing across the board.

While the bookmaker doesn’t offer live streaming of all sports events (reserved for Esports only), you can enjoy live betting on all 35 sports covered. High-stakes bettors can set a re-bet or auto bet function, which allows you to bet the highest value automatically when the odds shift.

This provides high betting limits on all markets and makes it simple to enjoy these options by providing an extensive selection of promotional offers, including reloads like $15,000 in prizes in the daily cash race.

2. BetUS (9.7/10) – Participate in Hot Sports Betting Tournaments for Top Payouts

BetUS, like BetOnline, is a long-standing KY sports betting platform, but that’s not to say it doesn’t offer all the newest betting features. KY bettors can visit the Locker Room, BetUS’s newsroom, to get all the latest details, stats, and standings on their favorite teams.

If you want the hottest picks from sports betting pros, then BetUS TV is worth watching, and you can easily stream it from the BetUS website or on mobile. Besides this form of streaming, BetUS also offers live streams of the most followed sporting events in HD. This feature makes it easier to place lucrative live betting wagers and catch the game.

BetUS’s range of promotional offers is extensive, with new and ongoing Kentucky bettors having fiat and crypto bonuses to claim and enjoy. But BetUS pushes the limits further by providing thrilling online sports betting tournaments, which you can participate in for mind-blowing payouts. It is worth noting that many promos have high minimum deposit requirements of $100, but many tournaments are free.

3. BetWhale (9.6/10) – Unlimited Deposits Using Crypto for High Stakes Betting

BetWhale is one of our list’s exciting new Kentucky sports betting sites. It caters to all bettors but offers exceptional features for crypto gamblers. One such offering is the site’s no-limit policy on crypto deposits, so you can add millions to your account using Bitcoin or Ethereum without hassling about a cap.

It is essential to note that while the deposit limits are open-ended, withdrawals aren’t quite as relaxed, with Kentucky bettors limited to requesting payouts of $2,500 weekly. However, this is the only feature that doesn’t favor high-stakes bettors, as BetWhale ensures high betting limits and extensive markets.

BetWhale ensures a thrilling live betting experience with highly competitive odds. You can wager pre-game or live bets on the 20+ sports covered while streaming events with a large following live on the site. The bookie also features a separate Esports betting suite and racebook, which ensure even more diverse betting options.

4. Bovada (9.5/10) – Has the Most Competitive Futures Odds on the Kentucky Derby

One sporting event synonymous with the Bluegrass State is the Kentucky Derby, one of the US’s most thrilling horse racing events. If you want the hottest odds on the races, Bovada is the place to go. Equipped with a dedicated racebook, the betting site offers full coverage of the Kentucky Derby, including the most competitive futures markets on the event, which it releases two months beforehand.

Besides competitive odds on the races, Bovada also provides pre-game and live betting options on various other sports. A key feature of this Kentucky sports betting site is the high betting limits it applies, making it easier for sharps to get down lucrative bets.

Depositing and withdrawing funds at Bovada is a breeze, particularly for crypto bettors. While those using credit cards have low limits and fees, bettors using Litecoin can deposit up to $5,000 with no fees and withdraw up to $180,000 weekly. While it would be nice to see the site add a few additional promos for ongoing bettors, the welcome offers are certainly worth claiming.

5. BetNow (9.5/10) – Unlock a 10% Weekly Rebate on All Horse Racing Bets

If you’re getting your bets ready for the Kentucky Derby, BetNow is another top site for online sports betting in Kentucky that you don’t want to miss. The site, like Bovada, offers a dedicated racebook where you can bet on the Derby and enjoy competitive prices. However, unlike Bovada, the bookie doesn’t offer early futures betting lines on the races.

BetNow makes up for this by providing a unique ongoing promo for horse racing fans: a 10% horse racing rebate, which pays back 10% of your losses on horse racing week after week. So, if the Kentucky Derby ends up being more of a miss than a hit for you this year, your losses won’t be as significant.

Overall, the sportsbook provides a more boutique experience, covering only 10 sports. However, the coverage of each sport is extensive, with countless events and markets on offer. Wagering on these sports is also made simple via several secure payment options and the chance to purchase crypto on the site using Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?

Yes, sports betting in Kentucky is legal. The Bluegrass State introduced sports betting in June 2023 when Governor Andy Beshear signed Bill HB 551. Gov. Beshear signed the bill within 24 hours of a 25-12 vote on the bill in the Senate on the last day of the legislative season.

However, Kentucky’s new sports betting law set up parameters requiring betting to go live within six months. As such, providers scrambled to get everything in order, with retail sportsbooks launching in KY on September 7, 2023, and online and mobile sports betting sites following shortly after, on September 28th.

Introducing sports betting was a unique move for the state, which has a relatively stringent stance against gambling. However, many bettors in the state tend to prefer offshore betting sites, which are known for their more flexible and thrilling Kentucky sports gambling options.

Offshore betting sites are accessible to KY bettors because these Kentucky sports betting platforms sit in a legal gray area. Based outside the US, state and federal betting laws don’t apply to them, and as such, they’re not prohibited or authorized, so you can visit them without breaking the law.

Other Types of Gambling in Kentucky

The gambling landscape in the Bluegrass State is unique, with limited options. Until the recent introduction of sports betting in Kentucky, the state only offered a lottery. Let’s look more closely at the other betting options available in the state:

• Retail casinos – Kentucky is one of the few US states offering no retail casinos. Neither commercial nor tribal casinos are operational in KY. However, you can play electronic games based on historical horse races at several of the state’s race tracks.
• Online casinos – Similarly, online casinos are not regulated in Kentucky, making offshore casinos the only option.
• Poker – Playing poker in poker rooms has long been legal in Kentucky. However, online poker sites are prohibited, so you’ll need to visit the top offshore online poker sites to play.
• Horse Racing – Kentucky is the US state with the strongest ties to horse betting, offering in-person and online horse racing betting.
• Fantasy Sports – DFS remains unregulated in Kentucky. However, the state hasn’t outlawed betting on these sports, and as such, you can bet on DFS at FanDuel and DraftKings in KY.

Who Can Use KY Sportsbooks?

Despite KY sports betting being regulated, there are several regulations regarding who can enjoy wagering and where. Let’s review these requirements below:

Legal Gambling Age

While bettors must be 18 or older to bet on horse racing and sports, most legal Kentucky sportsbooks require those placing bets to be 21 or older.

Mobile Sports Betting

Kentucky sports betting apps went live on September 28, 2023. Bettors can wager on sports or horse racing using mobile devices anywhere within state lines. Currently, eight sports betting apps have licenses to operate in Kentucky. Bettors can also access sports betting apps provided by offshore bookies.

Register Remotely

Kentucky doesn’t require you to register in person to place bets at its regulated online or mobile betting platforms. Instead, you can register remotely for convenient online wagering. Similarly, the top online betting sites based offshore also provide remote registration.

Within State Borders

Online sports betting in Kentucky is accessible to anyone within state lines. However, these regulated sites are geo-fenced, so you won’t have access to them when you cross into a neighboring state. Offshore bookies are a better option if you want access to online betting from anywhere in the US.

Retail Sportsbooks

Kentucky is home to 12 retail sportsbooks, all located at the state’s various race tracks. These bookies are operated by top providers, with the newest options being the Starting Gate Sportsbook at Owensboro and Ellis Park and the BetMGM Sportsbook at Sandy’s Gaming and Racing in Ashland.

Tax on Winnings

Sports bettors in KY are taxed more heavily on their betting winnings than in other states. According to the Kentucky Government tax page, winnings made at retail sportsbooks have an applied tax of 9.75%, while winnings made at online or mobile Kentucky sports betting apps are taxed at 14.25%.

How Experts Rank the Best KY Online Sportsbooks

Our experts rank and rate KY online sportsbooks using a specific set of criteria. Only those platforms that meet or exceed these requirements make it onto their list of the best Kentucky sports betting sites. Read on to learn more about the criteria our experts apply and how we rate KY betting sites.

• Safety & Security – To make it onto our list, legal Kentucky betting sites must be licensed with their local gaming authority. Licensed sportsbooks must uphold specific standards and provide player safety. Additionally, they utilize tools like SSL encryption to prevent online fraud.
• Deposit & Payout Methods – The top Kentucky online sportsbooks provide various payment methods that are safe and well-recognized. These options include credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.
• Bonuses & Promotions – Keep a look out for KY online sportsbooks that offer generous promos while ensuring fair terms and sports wagering requirements. Reading through the T&Cs before claiming a promo is always best practice.
• Range of Sports – Kentucky online sports betting platforms should provide various sports to bet on, from favorites like baseball, football, and hockey, to less common options like snooker, athletics, and darts.
• Depth of Markets – The bookie you choose should provide extensive coverage of each sport and the tournaments played and also offer a great selection of betting markets to use when betting on them. By offering regular betting markets and exotic options like game and player props, these sites give you more ways to bet.
• Quality of Sports Betting Odds – Top sports betting sites will offer the most competitive odds based on algorithms and sharp betting action, to ensure you get the best prices.
• Mobile Interface – Mobile gambling is gaining popularity, making it essential for top bookies to offer mobile betting platforms as downloadable apps or optimized websites that are accessible for iOS and Android users.
• Customer Service – Top online sportsbooks provide around the clock customer support using methods like a phone line or live chat to provide instant assistance.

Best Kentucky Sports Betting Bonuses

Most online sportsbooks offer promotional offers. However, those at state-regulated platforms are usually less inviting than those provided by offshore Kentucky sports betting sites. Let’s review some of the most exciting promos these bookies provide:

Welcome Bonus

New bettors are welcomed to a KY sportsbook with a generous welcome bonus when they make their first deposit with the site. These offers come in several variations, including free bets and deposit matches.

Best Option: CoinCasino, 200% up to $30,000.

Reload Bonus

Existing sports bettors also have exciting promos to claim. While these reload bonuses are often lower in value compared to welcome offers, they are more diverse in their offerings. You can find several options including deposit matches, free bets, odds boosts, parlay insurance, reduced juice, and contests.

Best Option: MyBookie, 50% Sports Crypto Reload up to $5,000.

Risk-Free Bets

Sites providing sports betting in Kentucky often offer free bets, which allow you to bet on a particular sport, market, or event up to a specific value. If you wager the bet and are successful, you get to keep the profits minus the original wager value.

Best Option: BetOnline, $50 Risk-free Live Bet

Odds Boosts

You can sometimes find online betting markets with boosted odds, which the sportsbook allows you to use. If you wager and your bet wins, you receive your payout at these better prices.

Best Option: Bovada, Daily Odds Boosts

Parlay Insurance

Parlay betting is risky and some online Kentucky sportsbooks offer insurance on these bets that allow you to recoup your initial stake if you lose one of the legs of your bet.

Best Option: SportsBetting, UFC Last-Minute KO Insurance

Sports To Bet On In Kentucky Sportsbooks & Betting Apps

The Bluegrass State may not have any major professional sports teams but bettors have plenty of options from neighboring states to back. Top sports in the state include horse betting and college basketball. Let’s check out what other sports are popular at sports betting sites in KY:

Horse Racing

Horse racing has been legal in the Bluegrass State since 1805, and there are several top tracks in the state. KY bettors can wager in person at these tracks or use the state’s online providers to place their wagers. One of the most well-known tracks is Churchill Downs, a world-class track home to the prestigious Kentucky Derby since 1875.

In addition to five thoroughbred racetracks, Kentucky also has three harness racing tracks. These include Ellis Park, Keeneland, and Red Mile in Lexington. Another top horse racing event in KY is the Kentucky Futurity, which is run each year at the Red Mile.

NFL Betting

Despite not having a pro football team, the NFL is still widely popular in KY, with bettors wagering on teams from neighboring states, like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts. The best football betting sites provide hot props, totals, moneylines and spreads on these teams.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the culmination of the NFL season. While you won’t find any teams from the Bluegrass State participating, many bettors head to the top Kentucky online sports betting sites to wager bets on the Indianapolis Bengals.

NBA Betting

Basketball is one of the most-loved sports in Kentucky. Bettors flock to top basketball betting sites each year to back the Indiana Pacers each year in hopes they reach the championships.

College Football Betting

KY is known for producing some of the best nationally-ranked football players, including Chris Redman and Michael Bush who played college ball for the Louisville Cardinals. Top Kentucky sports betting platforms provide exceptional markets and odds on the state’s leading NCAA teams, including the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals.

Prohibited Bets

Sports betting in Kentucky has very few limitations. While you can bet freely on collegiate sports and teams, wagering on high school sports, teams, and athletes is prohibited.

Most Popular Kentucky Teams to Bet On

Kentucky may not have any pro sports teams but it has top D1 NCAA sports teams with backing. Bettors in the state also wager on nearby pro teams from Indiana, so let’s take a look:

Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats are the athletic teams that come from University of Kentucky and are often referred to as the Big Blue Nation. With D1 teams in basketball and football, the Wildcats are a popular choice among KY bettors. Top Kentucky sports betting platforms like BetOnline and Bovada both offer top odds on these NCAA teams.

Louisville Cardinals

The Wildcats’ biggest rivals are the Louisville Cardinals, who hail from the University of Louisville. Featuring NCAA D1 teams for basketball and football, the Cardinals also have a firm backing from KY residents. In 2016, Lamar Jackson led the NCAAF team to its first win of the Heisman Trophy, making the team a top pick for bettors visiting sites like BetUS and Bovada.

Indianapolis Colts

If you would rather bet on the NFL, one of the top teams backed by KY bettors are the Indianapolis Colts from Indiana. The team has won the Super Bowl twice (1970 and 2006) and is a top pick for many. BetOnline offers some of the hottest game and player props along with lucrative moneylines on this NFL team.

What You Can’t Bet on in Kentucky

Retail and online sports betting in Kentucky is legal and doesn’t have many limits. However, there are a few things you won’t be able to bet on in the state:

NFL Draft

Many states offer legal sports wagering and wagering on the NFL draft, and then there are several that provide legal sports betting but prohibit betting on the NFL draft. Unfortunately, Kentucky falls into the latter group, and doesn’t allow wagers on the NFL draft. However, you can visit offshore Kentucky sportsbooks for these betting options.

Politics

Betting on politics at Kentucky betting platforms is illegal. So, if you want to bet on the next presidential election, head to an offshore bookie.

Entertainment Award Ceremonies

Regulated Kentucky online sportsbooks and retail bookies may not offer betting on entertainment award ceremonies like the Oscars, the Grammys, or the Emmys. However, sites like BetOnline offer this sort of betting.

Can You Bet on the Olympics in Kentucky?

Sports bettors in the Bluegrass State can freely bet on the Olympics provided the athletes are over 18 years in age.

What About Kentucky College Sports?

Kentucky is one of the few US states that allows betting on collegiate sports. As such, you can visit any of the state’s retail or online bookies to wager on the Wildcats or the Cardinals.

What About Esports?

Esports betting is legal as part of the Kentucky sports betting bill that passed in 2023. As such, you can wager on Esports at any of the state’s regulated bookies or at offshore sportsbooks.

Deposit and Withdraw from KY Sports Betting Sites

Top Kentucky sports betting bookies offer various safe payment options that enable you to quickly and easily deposit and withdraw funds. Some of the most common offerings include:

Credit & Debit Cards

Many Kentucky sports betting sites accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express credit and debit cards. Deposits using cards process instantly and rarely incur fees, while withdrawals are less common and may take up to five days to reach you.

EWallets

Neosurf, Skrill, and Neteller are popular e-wallet systems offered by Kentucky online sportsbooks. These payment systems are highly secure and allow you to transact online without sharing your banking information. Transactions using e-wallets take up to 24 hours to process.

Cryptos

Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Tether, and Bitcoin are popular decentralized coins accepted by Kentucky sports betting platforms. Since they are not managed by financial institutions, these cryptocurrencies follow unique regulations that allow for unique offerings like anonymous, instant payouts that don’t incur fees.

Related Content:

• Best crypto betting sites

Bank Transfers

Some Kentucky sportsbooks offer bank transfers as a method of withdrawal. However, these payouts can take over two weeks to pay out and have high transaction fees.

How to Get Started with Kentucky Sports Betting Apps & Sportsbooks

If you want to place bets on the Cardinals or Wildcats, you’ll need to register with a Kentucky sports betting site:

1. Select a Sportsbook

To begin, you’ll need to choose the KY sports betting site you want to join and launch its website. We’re using our top site for legal sports betting in Kentucky, BetOnline, as an example.

2. Register Online

Once the bookie has loaded, select the “Join/Register” button. Complete your details on the form that pops up and when you’re ready, click “Create Account.” Then, visit your email inbox and click the verification link the bookie will send you.

3. Claim a Bonus

Launch the “Cashier/Banking” page and select your payment method. A new page will load and you will find it offers a box for your sports betting bonus code. Add your code to this box.

4. Deposit Funds

Now, add in your deposit value and supply any additional payment details the sportsbook requires. Then, confirm the transaction by clicking “Deposit.”

5. Start Betting

Once you have chosen your team and market, click on the relevant odds to add the bet to your betslip. Type in your bet amount and hit the “Place Bet” button.

6. Withdraw Funds

Once you have made your winnings and played through your welcome bonus, you can claim a payout. Open the “Cashier” page and select the “Withdrawals” option. Choose your withdrawal method, fill out your payout amount and any further details required. Click “Withdraw.”

Kentucky Betting Apps and Mobile Sportsbooks

The best Kentucky sports betting platforms offer mobile wagering. While regulated platforms offer downloadable sports betting apps, top offshore esports sportsbooks provide mobile-optimized websites that are accessible to more bettors. These platforms are compatible with iOS and Android devices, ensuring responsive, high-quality betting on smaller screens.

Responsible Gambling in Kentucky

Leading sites for sports betting in Kentucky offer responsible gambling measures. These options come in various forms. For example, BetOnline offers the option to apply for self-exclusion, while BetWhale provides a support line and budgetary limits. Most bookies offer access to external resources, including:

• Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling
• National Council on Problem Gambling (KY)
• Kentucky Gambling Addiction Hotline

Best Kentucky Sports Betting Site in Summary

Through our extensive research, we found BetOnline to be the best Kentucky sports betting site overall. The platform not only has a long-term trusted reputation and experience in the betting industry, but it offers competitive odds, early markets, and high betting limits, plus amazing seasonal contests where huge prize pools are up for grabs.

Kentucky Sports Betting FAQs

Does Kentucky allow sports betting?

The Bluegrass State introduced legal sports betting in 2023, when Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 551 into law.