Closest Casino To Kentucky State Fair
Kentucky has a mixed-approach to gambling legalization. While residents and visitors can enjoy horse track betting and casino gambling, for the time being, Kentucky sports betting is still illegal. That being said, there is currently a big push for sports betting in the state’s government, so legalization may happen soon.
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- Kentucky State Fair Louisville Ky
- Closest Casino To Kentucky State Fair 2020
- Ohio State Fair
As we only recommend legal and trustworthy betting operators on this website and have no Kentucky legal online sportsbook to recommend, we have instead dedicated this page to covering other gambling topics. This includes the current gambling laws, other available betting options in the state, and the future outlook for sports betting.
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What Betting Options are Legal for Kentucky Residents
Contents
- What Betting Options are Legal for Kentucky Residents
- Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, Kentucky players are able to enjoy a few gambling options including pari-mutuel horse wagering, limited casino gambling, and the Kentucky Lottery. As we’ll cover below, locals are also able to enjoy daily fantasy sports wagering, though this activity currently remains in a legal gray area.
Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Kentucky?
The closest thing to legal Kentucky online gambling is probably daily fantasy sports (DFS), although the games aren’t technically legal. It’s more accurate to say that DFS is simply tolerated in Kentucky, meaning that although there is no law permitting DFS, players can still enjoy competitions without fear of consequences.
Reputable sports betting sites such as FanDuel and DraftKings both offer their DFS sportsbooks to Kentucky players. Both companies were supportive of a recent bill that would make DFS legal in the state, and although the bill wasn’t successful, it seems as though the operators may have a good shot in 2021.
Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Kentucky Players
There are currently no legal online sports betting in Kentucky. This means that Kentucky players aren’t even allowed to access offshore betting sites such as Bovada and MyBookie to place wagers. Keep in mind that only licensed legal websites are guaranteed to be safe and fair. Any sportsbook that accepts illegal players can not be trusted.
Casinos
Kentucky may not technically have any casino gambling, but it does offer limited casino gaming options at its nine racino horse tracks. More than 2,000 slots and gaming machines can be played at these racinos, which are among the most famous in the country.
Unfortunately, players can not play casino table games at these locations. Unlike many other states, Kentucky also has no Native American casinos. This is because neither of Kentucky’s two tribes are recognized by the federal government and are therefore not qualified to offer tribal gaming.
Racetrack Betting
Perhaps one of the best-known and popular horse racetracks in the USA, if not the world, is the Churchill Downs track. Every year, Churchill Downs hosts the Kentucky Derby, a race that generates hundreds of millions of dollars of wagers every year. Other major tracks include Keeneland and Kentucky Downs.
Offtrack race betting is the other form of legal online sports betting in Kentucky. Not only are there several off-track betting parlors, but some tracks such as Churchill Downs have created websites that allow bettors to place wagers on their mobiles when they are seated in premises.
Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting
Until there is legal sports betting in Kentucky, locals are free to travel to neighboring states to place bets on sports games. Betting in legal sports betting states is legal for Kentucky residents as long as they use trusted, licensed sports betting websites that have been approved by local governments.
Below, we’ve listed three neighboring states that Kentucky residents can travel to in order to place legal wagers on sports games.
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- Illinois
- West Virginia
What would Legal Sports Betting in Kentucky Look Like
After months of trying, a bill looking to legalize Kentucky sports betting failed to pass. This is despite having a majority of approval in both the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate. Even Kentucky’s governor approved of the bill and expected it to pass.
However, the efforts failed after the coronavirus pandemic saw the year’s legislative session cut short. Due to certain legislative processes, it may be more difficult to pass Kentucky sports betting in 2021, though many are still hopeful that enough lawmakers and voters will push for the changes in the new year.
It is most likely that if legalization was to be successful, sports betting would be regulated by the Kentucky Lottery Corporation. They would be in charge of ensuring licensees act in the best interest of players, whether that be by offering safe and fair products and adding protections for problem gamblers.
Once legal online sports betting in Kentucky is available, Kentuckians can expect to bet on professional local teams such as the Kentucky Colonels. Legalization will also ensure that players will always be able to bet at the safest betting sites, which will offer the fairest odds and guarantee player protection.
What are the Kentucky Gambling Laws
Compared to other states in the USA, Kentucky has fairly limited gambling laws. In fact, the only kind of gambling that is specifically allowed according to Kentucky law is pari-mutuel horse racing. Even so, Kentucky has very strict rules on the horse racing industry and how it accepts wagers.
Kentucky gambling laws are quite limiting as to what else is illegal. The law states that in order for a wagerable activity not to be considered gambling, skill must be a prevailing element. Those participating in illegal gambling are committing a Class A misdemeanor punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
| Betting Type | Law |
|---|---|
| Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Casino | Not Legal |
| Poker | Not Legal |
| Racetrack Betting | Legal |
| Kentucky Gambling Age | 18+ |
As the table shows, most forms of gambling are illegal in Kentucky. If players want to bet on the lottery, DFS and horse race betting, they must be over the age of 18 years old. This also includes wagering at racino slot machines, which in many states requires players to be over the age of 21.
Quite surprisingly, the recently-failed Kentucky sports betting bill would also allow bettors 18 years and over to bet. This is likely because the games will be run by the Kentucky Lottery, and any differences in age requirements may cause confusion with retailers and customers.
What is the Future of Sports Betting in Kentucky?
We are quite confident that in due course, lawmakers will come to an agreement surrounding sports betting in Kentucky. As has been proven for decades with its thriving horse racing industry, Kentuckians clearly love to wager on sports, so it makes sense to introduce more wagering options.
If this happens, Kentucky will join a growing list of legal sport betting states that offer their constituents a safe and fair sportsbook. Until a bill is passed, players can only legally place bets at neighboring states to be certain that they are not breaking any laws and are playing a fair product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you still confused about whether there is a Kentucky legal online sportsbook or if sports betting in the state is legal? In this section, we have answered a number of questions that are commonly asked about Kentucky and its gambling laws.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Kentucky?
Are you still confused about whether there is a Kentucky legal online sportsbook or if sports betting in the state is legal? In this section, we have answered a number of questions that are commonly asked about Kentucky and its gambling laws.
What is the Kentucky legal gambling age?
The minimum gambling age for gambling in Kentucky is 18 years old. This applies to everything from buying lottery tickets, gambling on horse racing, and even playing slot machines. It is believed that once sports betting is legalized, the minimum gambling age will also be 18 years old.
Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?
No, offshore bookmakers are neither legal nor safe. This is because sportsbooks without licenses can’t be trusted. Licensing ensures that operators are offering fair odds and are using websites that are secure from hacking. It’s best to wait until sports betting is legal or to travel to legal neighbor states to place bets.
Can I play at a Kentucky online sportsbook if I am not in the state?
Even if Kentucky had legal online sportsbooks, you would not be allowed to play from a neighbor state. This is because sports betting would be operated by the Kentucky Lottery, which would be required to limit payouts to in-state players. Any attempt to participate in Kentucky sports betting out-of-state will probably be geo-blocked.
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Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Kentucky?
Yes, you can use FanDuel and DraftKings within Kentucky. However, you can only use them to bet on daily fantasy sports. In case the state legalized sports betting, we expect that either or both could be contracted by the Kentucky Lottery to become a legal Kentucky sports betting app.
- Horseracing (1783), Lottery (1988), Historical Racing (2010)
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- Kentucky does not have a smoking ban
- Off-track betting
Kentucky is considered the home of horse racing in the U.S. The Kentucky Derby, one of the best-known horse races in the world, is hosted at Churchill Downs in the state. Kentucky was home to the first known horse race in the country in 1783. The state has always accepted that its residents and tourists visit Bluegrass Country to take in the races and wager a few dollars.
While gambling on horses has always been embraced, it has not been quick to expand into Kentucky casinos. There is a state lottery in Kentucky. Instant racing, which are slot machines that display winning symbols based on past races, started appearing at racetracks earlier this decade. Kentucky racetracks may also offer off-track betting. Charities can offer games of chance with limited prizes and a number of events.
Paying Gambling Taxes in Kentucky
OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. Find out how you can report your gambling income to the IRS with our in-depth Gambling Taxes Guide. Learn which forms you have to fill out, how to report your winnings, as well as deduct losses.
Kentucky Casinos Map & Guide of Racetracks
- Ellis Park – Henderson
- Red Mile – Lexington
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Types of Kentucky Online Gambling
The only form of legal Kentucky online gambling is off-track betting on horses. These wagers may be placed on websites and apps belonging to companies like TVG, Twinspires, and BetAmerica. TwinSpires is based in Kentucky. It is owned by Churchill Downs.
Daily fantasy sites claim legality under Kentucky’s skill gaming laws. While the state attorney general and its legislature have not addressed daily fantasy sports, some sour gamblers have filed lawsuits against the companies in an attempt to recover losses through qui tam laws. These cases are still in the court system.
Online poker, casino, and sports betting sites are not legal in Kentucky. The state has filed its own qui tam lawsuits to recover losses for the state’s residents. One judgment against PokerStars compelled the site to pay Kentucky $870 million. That case is under appeal. The state also filed a lawsuit in an attempt to seize 141 domain names from gambling sites.
Types of Live Kentucky Gambling
- Slots: No
- Blackjack: No
- Poker: No
- Craps/Roulette: No
- Horses: Yes
- Lottery: Yes
There are three types of live Kentucky gambling available to residents. A state lottery sells scratch-off and lotto tickets. This includes interstate drawings. Popular games include Lucky for Life, Pick 3, Pick 4, 5 Card Cash, Powerball, and Mega Millions.
There are six Kentucky racetracks. All offer horse tracks. Greyhound racing is not legal in Kentucky. All six tracks offer off-track betting on horses.
Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park, and Red Mile offer a controversial form of gambling that is working its way through the court system. These two tracks offer instant racing machines. These devices are programmed with thousands of past horse races. Players put cash into the machine and make a wager. The machine pulls one of these historical races and displays the reels on the device to match a payout similar to what the event would have paid. These are described as historical racing machines. Some consider them to be slot machines because that is exactly how they look and feel. The only difference is how the position of the reels is determined.
There are currently no Kentucky casinos operating at the moment. There is legislation that racetracks are trying to pass so that they can legally offer more popular electronic casino games, like electronic blackjack and roulette. We may see the racetracks and Kentucky casinos legislation combine and form “racinos” that are already popular in other states.
Kentucky Gambling Laws
Kentucky gambling laws define gambling as,
“staking or risking something of value on the outcome of a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device which is based upon an element of chance, in accord with an agreement or understanding that someone will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”
It only exempts the state lottery, horse racing, and arguably, instant racing machines. Charities may operate bingo games and raffles.
Promoting gambling is a Class A misdemeanor or Class D felony, depending on the charges. The minimum gambling age in Kentucky is 18 years for lottery, racing, and instant racing bettors.
Where to Gamble in Kentucky
Kentucky State Fair Louisville Ky
There are more than 1,000 lottery retailers in Kentucky. There are also dozens of charitable organizations that offer bingo and similar games to raise funds for nonprofit operations.
Outside of these options, there are only six Kentucky racetracks to gamble at. You might consider these racetracks to be Kentucky casinos, as they already have permission to offer racing machines, which are very similar to slot machines. This may be the start of new Kentucky gambling legislation.
You can look for the specific racetrack you want to wager at on our Kentucky casinos map and guide located above.
| Racetrack | Size | Address | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchill Downs – Louisville | No Instant Racing® | 700 Central Ave. | www.churchilldowns.com |
| Ellis Park Race Course – Henderson | 170 Instant Racing® Machines | 3300 US-41 | www.ellisparkracing.com |
| Keeneland – Lexington | No Instant Racing® | 4201 Versailles Rd. | www.keeneland.com |
| Kentucky Downs – Franklin | 500 Instant Racing® Machines | 5629 Nashville Rd. | www.kentuckydowns.com |
| The Red Mile – Lexington | 900 Instant Racing® Machines | 1200 Red Mile Rd. | www.redmileky.com |
| Turfway Park – Florence | No Instant Racing® | 7500 Turfway Rd. | www.turfway.com |
History of Kentucky Gambling
Horse racing dates back to 1783 in Kentucky. That is nine years before it became a state. The first organized racing venue was created in Louisville. It was called Elm Tree Gardens. Racing spread to Lexington in 1787 where horses competed in The Commons. Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, opened in 1883.
Kentucky did not regulate horse racing like it does today in its early years. It was simply impossible to control pari-mutuel pools and organize the tracks and horses centuries ago. It took until the early 1900’s for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to be created. Tracks have come and gone over the years. There are five in operation today. This makes Kentucky one of the most thriving states when it comes to horseracing.
The first legal lottery in Kentucky was held in 1792. It occurred in an attempt to fundraise for a church in Lexington. The Kentucky Lottery that exists today was created through a November 1988 constitutional referendum. The first ticket was sold in April 1989. The Kentucky Lottery sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.
Closest Casino To Kentucky State Fair 2020
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission modified its regulations to permit instant racing machines in 2010. These games mimic slot machines. The devices display slot symbols in a pattern to show the payout of a horse race based in the past. The exact race is never known. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that the racing commission had the authority to legalize these games. Anti-gambling groups are still fighting instant racing in the courts. Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park, and Red Mile offer instant racing, and can be considered to be the only Kentucky casinos operating today.
Kentucky has been the home of two disputes with offshore online gambling sites. In 2008, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear’s office initiated a lawsuit in an attempt to seize 141 domain names related to gambling. Major sites were included in the list. Big names like PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, DoylesRoom and Cake Poker were among them. The case dragged out until 2014 when a state appeals court essentially quashed it. This case was the beginning of offshore gaming sites moving to domains that do not use the .com extension. Kentucky received a small settlement related to Black Friday due to this case before it ultimately failed.
PokerStars Debacle
Kentucky is also the venue where PokerStars was sued for $290 million for accepting players in the state. Government officials alleged that PokerStars operated illegally and should be compelled to pay the state for its residents’ gambling losses under qui tam laws. The alleged events occurred from 2006 to 2011.
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These loss recovery laws permit anybody to recover illegal gambling losses if the loser does not act within six months. A lower court awarded the $290 million as well as treble damages, making the total judgment $870 million. The case is currently under appeal
PokerStars was owned by Rational Group at the time the lawsuit is based. It has since been acquired by Amaya Gaming. The new owners of PokerStars have vowed to fight the case or pursue the former owners if it ultimately loses the legal battle.
Kentucky Casinos & Gambling FAQ
Yes. Kentucky is considered the home of the horse racing industry in the country.
Yes. There are six race books in Kentucky.
The only form of online betting legal in Kentucky is off-track horse racing.
No, only horse racing.
Is smoking permitted in Kentucky race books and instant racing casinos?
Are casinos legal in Kentucky?
No, the closest thing to casinos in the state is instant racing machines. There are casinos in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
The minimum Kentucky gambling age is 18 years for all legal forms of gambling, including lottery and racing bets.
Yes, the Kentucky Lottery sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.
Does the Kentucky Lottery sell tickets over the Internet?
Lottery sales are not permitted over the Internet.
Are online poker, casino or sports betting sites legal in Kentucky?
None of these types of websites are licensed to operate in Kentucky.
There is currently a court battle over alleged illegal online gambling where a lower court ruled PokerStars owes Kentucky $870 million. It is currently under appeal.