Sports betting in Kentucky is illegal. It will only be termed legal when a sports betting bill is voted on and passed by the House of Representatives. The state has had sports betting bills and attempts since 2018, but none has proven successful. The Kentucky General Assembly has consistently resisted the calls to legalize gambling in the state. It seems to be dragging its feet with the matter.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
No. Sports betting is not legal in Kentucky. While there have been legislative measures and attempts to push Kentucky to legalize sports betting, they have borne no fruits yet. It is expected to remain so till the bills can be passed. The Kentucky General Assembly passed bill HB 606 out of the house in March 2022. While the Senate leadership had the chance to keep the bill alive till the last day, they did not have enough support for the final vote.
Is DraftKings Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
DraftKings does not currently offer sports betting services in Kentucky. This is due to the illegality of sports betting in the state. However, as most states move to legalize sports betting, Kentucky can have a rough idea of some sportsbooks that could serve the state. They include:
New DraftKings players get a deposit bonus up to $1,000
Why Is Sports Betting Illegal in Kentucky?
As it stands, sports betting is illegal in Kentucky because the state doesn’t allow it. This explains the lack of legal sports betting avenues so far. Kentuckians hope it can be legal in a few years.
When Will Kentucky Sports Betting Start?
With no given date for Kentucky to start sports betting, Kentuckians can only hope for the lawmakers to speed up the activities. Most people hope for 2023 to be the year of legalization. However, with things in the Senate at a standstill, it might be closer to 2024. This is because there is always a delay between the date of legalization and launching (approximately six months).
New BetRivers players get up to a $500 free bet
Latest Kentucky Sports Betting News
April 2022: Kentucky’s lawmakers tried to vote in HB 606 to legalize sports betting.
March 2022: The leader of the Majority in the Senate, Damon Thayer, considered passing HB 606 an off-chance.
Other bills for the legalization of sports betting in Kentucky include HB 610, HB 714, and SB 213.
