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Sports betting has swept across Kentucky, with residents enthusiastically placing wagers on their favorite teams and events. The legalization of sports betting in Kentucky in September 2023 has opened up a world of opportunities for sports fans in the state.
To help you navigate the world of KY sports betting, we’ll unveil the top-rated sportsbooks available to residents with a complete overview of the state’s legalities and timeline surrounding sports betting. Discover our recommended betting sites and learn how to select the perfect one for your betting needs.
Here are the best sports betting sites in Kentucky for 2025 sorted by category. That way, you can consider what you are looking for in a sportsbook and make your decision based on our honest recommendations.
BetUS – Best Sportsbook Site Overall for Kentucky Residents
Bovada – Leading Sportsbook for Mobile Betting
BetOnline – Best Site for Betting Futures and Props
MyBookie – Top Betting Site for Promotions
Sportsbetting.ag – Best Online Sportsbook for Fast Withdrawals
1
BetUS – Best Sportsbook Site Overall for Kentucky Residents
Our Rating
5.0/5 stars.
BetUS is our best overall Kentucky betting site for residents, and it’s easy to see why. It’s loaded with betting options, including odds boosts, same-game parlays and prop builders. BetUS offers the best resources for profitable betting on KY teams via BetUS TV and the Locker Room. On BetUS TV, you’ll get expert analysis for Kentucky basketball and football games each week. While The Locker Room provides updated blogs, betting tips and picks for the Wildcats as well. This is an added value that you don’t get from many online sportsbooks.
Sign up now at BetUS and receive a welcome bonus of 125% up to $3,125. 100% of that bonus up to $2,500 goes to the sportsbook (the rest to their casino offering). There is also a 10x rollover on the sports bonus.
2
Bovada – Leading Sportsbook for Mobile Betting
Our Rating
4.9/5 stars.
Bovada’s mobile betting offering is a fantastic option if you want to make a bet on that drive from Louisville to Lexington. You can find basketball odds under the ‘Sports’ tab in the top left-hand corner of the screen. Your mobile bet slip is in the top-right hand corner, so everything is clearly visible. Their ‘Live Betting’ option is also under the ‘Sports’ tab if you want to make a bet on the Louisville halftime lines. You can also bet on everything that you would using a desktop. So, don’t worry about losing betting options, whether you’re using an Android or an iPhone.
The Bovada sports welcome bonus is 50% up to $250, but it’s boosted to 75% up to $750 if you make your deposit with crypto. There is also a 5x rollover requirement, which is lower than the industry standard.
3
BetOnline – Best Site for Betting Futures and Props
Our Rating
4.5/5 stars.
BetOnline features futures betting on NBA and NCAA basketball all year round. From here, you can bet on Kentucky’s March Madness odds, as well as SEC conference odds. The NBA selection is fantastic as you can bet on team wins, playoff specials, and player futures. But it’s not restricted to basketball as BetOnline covers football, baseball and all other sports. There is also a vast props betting selection, such as points, rebounds and assists totals for your favorite Kentucky or Louisville players. You can also find daily odds boosts and same-game parlays for your favorite games as well.
You can sign up at BetOnline for a 50% welcome bonus matched up to $1,000 with a 10x rollover requirement. But there is also a 25% reload bonus up to $250 that you can use whenever you want. BetOnline also has bonuses for crypto users, such as a 100% up to $1,000 for your first deposit. There is also a 30% reload bonus with crypto up to $300.
4
MyBookie – Top Betting Site for Promotions
Our Rating
4.2/5 stars.
MyBookie is the place to go for the best sports betting bonuses. The welcome bonus is a 50% match bonus up to $1,000, and you also receive a $10 casino chip for free. There is a 10x rollover requirement for this bonus. You also have the option for a bonus up to $200 that is matched 10%. This is for those who want a smaller bonus with a lower rollover requirement (1x). There is also a 50% reload bonus, an 8% horse betting rebate (which will come in handy for the Kentucky Derby). There is a staggering 200% referral bonus that has unlimited uses, so you can bet with your friends. Finally, you can find contests there throughout the year, so keep your eyes open for a March Madness bracket challenge.
The sportsbook has an excellent assortment of betting odds, including US political betting and entertainment. You can bet on live odds, and at the bottom of the sportsbook page, you can find betting previews and tips for certain games.
5
Sportsbetting.ag – Best Online Sportsbook for Fast Withdrawals
Our Rating
4.1/5 stars.
Sportsbetting.ag has some of the fastest deposits and withdrawals in the industry, especially for payouts. There are same-day payouts here, and they use industry-leading security features to make sure you’re safe. If you’re on a bit of a budget, Sportsbetting.ag has $20 minimum deposits, which is lower than many of the competitors KY bettors have to choose from.
There are 24 sportsbook banking options at Sportsbetting.ag, including credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express), person-to-person, money orders and bank transfers/checks. Crypto users will be thrilled to be well-represented as there are 16 options, including Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum.
Our evaluation criteria for the best sportsbooks for Kentucky bettors is very stringent. Our sportsbook reviews are based on a ton of experience from our team of experts. We look at what you can bet on, how safe the site is, ease of payment methods, bonuses and how competitive their odds are. We also look at general usability factors, such as how easy it is to navigate the site. Here is a look at the most important factors:
We consider on the range of betting opportunities at the best sportsbooks for KY players. Of course, you should be able to bet on the Kentucky Wildcats’ March Madness odds. But can you bet on all the NFL betting lines? Can you wager on the Cincinnati Reds’ MLB odds all year long? What about European soccer? You should be able to bet on everything at the best sports betting sites.
We look at the security measures for the safest online betting sites, such as whether they’re using TLS encryption to process their transactions. We also look at their reputation, whether they’ve had issues with cashing players out.
You shouldn’t have to worry about having deposit and withdrawal options. The best KY sportsbooks should be able to process credit cards and e-wallets. Betting sites that accept crypto should be able to process transactions without trouble. We also look into whether there are fees for transactions.
Of course, all great sports betting sites come with a nice sportsbook bonus to welcome you. Sign-up bonuses are a must, but a really good site should also come with reload bonuses, free spins and even the occasional no deposit bonuses. Our recommended sites give you access to all of these bonuses.
We hunt for the sportsbooks with the most competitive odds, so KY bettors know they’re getting the best bang for their buck. Most odds are similar, but if one book has the Louisville Cardinals as a +130 underdog in an NCAA basketball game, and another has them at +150, take the latter. We give you options, so you can find the best odds out there.
How to Choose the Best Online Betting Sites for You
When looking at the best sportsbook for you as a player in Kentucky, there are a few things to consider before making your final choice (or choices). Your budget, betting experience, what sports you want to bet on, types of bonuses, and banking methods are all very important. Let’s have a look at these factors:
What Is My Budget?
For smart bankroll management in sports betting, you should consider your budget before selecting your site of choice, and most importantly, stick to it. If you’re on a tight budget, look for sites with low minimum deposits and low rollover requirements, for example, BetUS’ $10 min. deposit or Bovada’s 5x rollover on their welcome bonus. If you’re more of a high-roller, you should look for sites with great reload bonuses and daily/weekly promotions to keep you going. BetOnline has some great reload bonuses for sports bettors.
What Is My Level of Betting Experience?
Most beginners will want to start by betting on moneylines and then progressing to more complex bets. If you’ve already been using online sportsbooks for a while, you’ll look to sites that have parlay options, prop builders and teaser bets. The types of wagers you want to make will tie into your level of betting experience. BetUS is the best place to start with their video and blog content to help you along.
What Banking Methods Do I Want to Use?
You should see whether your preferred site has your banking method of choice, or at least a strong alternative. BetOnline and Sportsbetting.ag both feature over 20 banking options, including a lot of crypto. Also, consider that some sites only allow you withdraw with the same method you deposited with, so take that into account. BetOnline does this, although they will use alternative options if necessary.
What Kinds of Bonuses Am I Looking For?
Are you looking for a large welcome bonus up front? Or, are you wanting a site with great recurring bonuses and promotions? This depends on your budget and how much you want to bet. The best sites have a good combination of both common types of sportsbook bonuses, such as BetUS and Sportsbetting.ag.
Which Sports Will I Bet on the Most Often?
If you’re a loyal UK basketball fan, of course, you’ll want a site that has the best NCAAB odds. But this goes for all sports. So, if you enjoy betting on a specific sport, look into your preferred site’s options for that sport. If you want variety, you’ll want a site where you can bet on virtually anything. All of our recommended sites have a ton of betting variety, but BetUS stands out.
The Legality of Sports Betting in Kentucky
Sports betting in Kentucky was legislated as of March 31, 2023 when Governor Andy Beshear approved House Bill 551. HB551 was enforced on June 28, 2023, and the first in-person wagers were made at various Kentucky racetracks on September 7, 2023. Meanwhile, online sports bets were legalized as of September 28, 2023. As of November 2023, you can make in-person bets at seven locations in the state, while there are eight regulated online sports betting sites. HB551 also states that the legal gambling age to bet on sports in Kentucky is 18, as opposed to 21 in most states.
While in-state sites are a great option, they often come with restrictions. Offshore online sportsbooks are fantastic alternatives to these sites. You’ll find more betting options such as, 2024 US elections betting, esports, and entertainment betting among other things. Offshore sportsbooks are regulated by the countries they’re licensed in. They don’t adhere to US state laws, but are still strictly examined in terms of safety and security, and banking.
Kentucky Sports Betting Timeline
Here is a list of major events regarding Kentucky sports betting. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Kentucky Derby and horse racing in general had a huge surge in bets. The first of which were made at venerable Churchill Downs, site of “Run for the Roses.”
Basketball is very popular in Kentucky, thanks to the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals. However, teams from Cincinnati are also popular, due to its proximity to Kentucky (just over an hour’s drive from Lexington). Of course, the Kentucky Derby is the main jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown. Here is a quick rundown of the most popular teams and events in the Bluegrass State:
Most Popular Teams for Kentucky Residents
Kentucky Wildcats (NCAA Basketball)
Louisville Cardinals (NCAA Basketball)
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (NCAA Basketball)
Cincinnati Reds (MLB)
Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)
Racing Louisville FC (National Womens Soccer League)
It’s very easy to start wagering at Kentucky betting sites. In just a few minutes and some simple steps, you’ll be making bets on the UK and UL hoops teams and more. Here is how to sign up for an online sportsbook, in four short steps:
Pick your sportsbook from one of our recommended betting sites, based on the factors you consider to be most important.
Click the Register/Join/Sign Up button, usually in the top right-hand corner, and you’ll be asked to enter your personal information. This will include your name, address, an email address and potentially, your phone number. Once you’re done with registration, you should also upload a picture of a recent utility bill to prove your identity. This will expedite the withdrawal process.
Claim the welcome bonus of your choice, if you have more than one option. You may have to use a bonus code, or access your bonus directly from the cashier. In rare cases, you may have to call customer support to receive your bonus.
Now, you’re free to bet! Find the ‘Sports’ tab and head to ‘NCAA Basketball,’ search for Kentucky, who will be hosting Kansas on November 14th for example. Have a look at their odds to place a bet on your Wildcats. Feel free to have a look at the ‘Markets’ section, where you can find props for the game as well!
Gambling should be fun for KY residents, not a problem. However, if you feel as though you or someone you know might be out of control, there are many resources to help. Below are links you can visit if you are concerned about a gambling addiction:
Kyle Eve is Editor-in-Chief of The Sports Geek, providing reliable analysis for millions of readers since joining the team in 2012. After placing his first sports bet on his 18th birthday, Kyle has devoted his entire adult life to becoming the best bettor he can be. He’s covered some of the biggest sporting events in the world, from the Super Bowl and World Series to the NBA Finals and Kentucky Derby. Kyle lives in Windsor, Ontario.
