Kentucky Online Casino Real Money – Gambling Laws in The Bluegrass State

Land-Based Casinos in Kentucky

Kentucky lacks land-based casinos, although Governor Andy Beshear has expressed interest in legalizing them to bolster public finances. However, no significant strides toward legalization have been made.

Currently, the only form of casino-style gambling available is through historical horse racing (HHR) machines found at the state’s nine licensed racetracks. HHRs function similarly to slots but are technically distinct from traditional slot machines.

Horse & Dog Tracks

Racetracks are the best place to gamble in person across Kentucky. There are nine racetracks with active gambling licenses where you can wager on historic horse racing (HHR) and live horse races. This includes the iconic Churchill Downs and new sites like Sandy’s Racing Gaming.

Dog racing is prohibited and there are no dog tracks in the state.

Online Sports Betting

Kentucky online sports betting launched in September 2023 in time for the pro football season after the state passed. As of 2024, only seven of the 27 available online sports betting licenses are active. An eighth is approved but not in use.

Bettors can wager on fixed odds, props, and lines from a wide range of sports. However, KY-based online sportsbooks are unavailable for college sports, politics, and entertainment.

Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling

KRS Chapter 238 outlines the laws around charitable gaming in the state, which the Department of Charitable Gaming (DCG) regulates. Organizations are charged a fee of 0.00575% of their gross receipts from charitable gaming. Bingo, pull tabs, raffles, and other games of chance like roulette are permitted.

KRS 238.505(2) states “slot machines, electronic video gaming devices, wagering on live sporting events, or simulcast broadcasts of horse races” are not included. There are 33 bingo halls in KY, from Franklin to Winchester. (Guide to Charitable Gaming in the Commonwealth of Kentucky)

Social Gaming at Home

Kentucky’s laws don’t address social gaming at home. However, you are not permitted to advertise or take a rake or fee from hosting social games such as poker and blackjack. Therefore, card games and betting among friends at home is permitted so long as you don’t shout about it too loudly.

Poker Rooms and Clubs

Poker isn’t allowed in The Bluegrass State due to the absence of casinos hosting poker games. However, KY residents can still play poker at private members’ clubs in the state.

These clubs charge a membership fee but don’t take a commission from games or tournaments. Additionally, online poker isn’t accessible within Kentucky unless one joins an out-of-state platform.

In 2023, state legislators attempted to regulate online poker through House Bill 106, but the bill wasn’t successful.

Casino Cruises

There are no casino cruises in Kentucky. The closest is the Caesars Southern Indiana Riverboat casino, which is located 15 miles from Louisville, across the Ohio River on the Indiana side

Online Slots

Online slots are only available to KY players who join offshore online casinos. These sites provide hundreds of titles with varying bonus sizes and extra features.

Many gambling sites have jackpots, which come in two types: fixed or progressive. Progressive jackpots can get really big, offering players a chance to win huge amounts. Players love these slots because they offer big prizes that can change their lives.

Unfortunately, in-person slot machines are not permitted in the state. Games such as historic horse racing machines (HHRs) simulate slots, but they are not quite the same thing.

Online Poker

Kentucky doesn’t regulate online poker, so US-based sites can’t operate competitions there. Playing in-person poker is only possible at card clubs.

Due to these restrictions, many players join offshore casino sites instead. These sites can host tournaments and offer video poker games.

Blackjack

Due to the absence of real-money casinos in Kentucky, playing blackjack within the state is not an option.

The nearest destination with such games is the Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino near Louisville. For those in KY looking to play online blackjack, offshore sites are the only choice.

These platforms offer a range of live tables, including popular variants like Perfect Pairs, Single Deck, Multi-Deck, and Rolling Stack.

Live Dealer Games

KY restricts live dealer games, allowing charitable organizations only two licenses per year. However, offshore sites step in to provide access to numerous live dealer tables.

Kentucky’s online casinos feature a variety of games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Super 6 Pai Gow, and Casino Hold’em. Some games even allow interaction with other players, enhancing the social aspect of the experience.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Kentucky?

Kentucky’s laws, found in statutes 230.010 and 528.010, primarily address sports betting and gambling, with no specific provisions for online casinos.

Consequently, online gambling is not allowed within the state, and no licenses are issued for such operations in the Bluegrass State.

Unlike states that have started easing gaming laws to allow limited casinos and card rooms, the state restricts gaming activities to horse racing betting. As a result, there are no gaming venues in the state, whether Native American-owned or otherwise.

No laws for or against online casinos in KY

Kentucky currently lacks laws specifically addressing online gambling legality. While regulations for online sports betting have been considered, online casinos remain unaddressed by the state legislature

As a result, online casinos are not permitted within the state’s borders. However, residents can still access offshore casino sites for their gaming needs.

In KY, horse racing betting is legal

Horse racing betting was the only form of regulated in-person betting in Kentucky before online sports wagering was permitted in 2023. The law permits racetracks to operate pari-mutuel wagering. (KRS Chapter 528)

Kentucky doesn’t like slot machines

The state legislature moved to ban ‘gray machines’ that simulate slot machine gameplay in 2023. These machines were deemed to be a form of gambling and were scattered across the state in gas stations, stores, and bars. (House Bill 594)

Kentucky outlaws gambling promotion

KY residents are not permitted to promote gambling activity. KRS 506.040 states: (1) A person is guilty of conspiracy to promote gambling when he conspires to advance or profit from gambling activity. (2) “Conspire” means to engage in activity constituting a criminal conspiracy as defined in KRS 506.040. (3) Conspiracy to promote gambling is a Class D felony.”

Players can hold social games at home, such as a poker night with friends. However, advertising the game and taking a rake from the activity is an offense. (KRS 506.040)

Find a Reputable Site

Make sure that you only sign up for a website that has undergone rigorous safety evaluations and maintains a strong reputation for prioritizing player well-being. Sites with licenses follow tight guidelines to protect players and guarantee ethical gaming.

Read Reviews

Make sure to check out our expert reviews of all the recommended gambling sites in Kentucky. Consider what matters most to you, whether it’s payment options or the variety of games available.

Look for Security Guarantees

Top casino sites run 256-bit secure socket layering (SSL) encryption or Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption as standard. These security measures keep your data safe and ensure payments are securely conducted.

Look for a License

Not every casino site has a license, but it’s worth checking to see what licensing agreements you might be signing up for. Many offshore sites available in KY are licensed in Panama, Curaçao, and Europe.

Demand Transparency

Kentucky players deserve the highest standards from their casino sites, and this means being upfront about complicated T&Cs. Look for sites that are transparent about their welcome offers, RTPs, software developers, and game rules. The more info you get, the better.

Seek Responsible Gambling Advice

Top online casinos go beyond what’s expected of them to provide extensive responsible gambling resources. We look for sites that impose player protections like deposit limits and timeouts. Sites that offer advice and links to problem gambling charities are also worth joining.

Assess Payment Options

Make sure you join a site that facilitates the deposit and withdrawal method you want to use. Most sites accept credit card payments but not withdrawals. So, take a look and find a site that works for you.