Best Kentucky Sportsbooks

Sports is one of the most loved social activities in Kentucky. Horse racing and college sports are among the most popular sports in the state. Nevertheless, residents and guests in the state have gained more interest in other sporting events in recent times, including American football and basketball.

As more people broaden their horizons when it comes to sports, more people discover the fun part of sports betting sites and how it can add to the excitement. Sports enthusiasts can earn some extra cash while enjoying their favorite games with sports betting. There are instances where fans win jackpot prizes after betting on their favorite team or game. Sounds good, no?

Sports enthusiasts in Kentucky also have an increasing interest in sports betting. With the emergence of online sports betting platforms, bettors are no longer limited to betting in physical establishments. They can also bet on multiple sporting events from all over the world through online sportsbooks. Kentucky sportsbook provides bettors with 24/7 access to sports betting products and services.

Our detailed guide covers the ins and outs of sports betting in Kentucky.

The Legality of Kentucky Sports Betting

Many states in the US face legal confusion regarding sports betting. That’s because many states have yet to develop clear regulations regarding sports betting in their jurisdiction. Despite having a growing number of sports enthusiasts who frequently take part in sports betting, sports betting is still illegal in Kentucky. It’s illegal for one to engage in any real money sports betting activities in establishments located in the state.

In 2018, during the removal of the federal wagering ban, Kentucky was tipped to be one of the states that would greatly benefit. At the beginning of 2020, Rep. Adam Koenig delivered a bill allowing sports betting. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic stalled it. In 2021, a second attempt was made, but the house opted to focus on more pressing needs triggered by the Covid 19 pandemic.

However, the good news is that the law doesn’t prohibit sports betting on offshore sportsbooks as bettors in Kentucky can open an account with an offshore sports betting platform and wager on their favorite sports 24/7. 

Are Gambling Wins Taxed in Kentucky

Kentucky has one of the lowest tax rates on sports betting wins. Below is a brief breakdown of the taxes:

• 1.5% amount wagered on slot machines.
• 18% tax on the gross commission

Out of the 18% tax on the gross commission, 8% goes to the Kentucky General Fund, while 10% is channeled back into the Kentucky sports betting industry. Should the sports betting bill be passed, the state hasn’t announced any tax figures. Like neighboring states, Kentucky will probably increase its tax rates on sports betting wins after legalizing sports wagering.

What Sports Can I Bet on at the Best Kentucky Sportsbooks?

If you live in Kentucky, you will appreciate the love of college sports and horse racing and it’s evident to see among the residents. College basketball has also gained popularity among Kentucky residents. In 2011, Kentucky introduced Horse Racing machines, which combined horseracing and slot machine wagering. Due to the lack of sports betting shops and operators licensed by Kentucky, residents highly depend on offshore sportsbooks in order to get their bets.

While offshore sportsbooks have proven to be a more legally safe option, they have many benefits. The offshore sportsbook features many sporting events from all over the world. The best Kentucky sportsbook will offer both local and international sporting events. It’s hard to find a sportsbook covering every sports event in the world.

Sports betting enthusiasts in Kentucky will probably want a sportsbook offering the following key sporting events:

• NCAA Sportsbooks
• March Madness Sportsbooks
• Horse Racing Sportsbooks
• NHL Sportsbooks
• Soccer Sportsbooks
• NFL Sportsbooks
• NBA Sportsbooks
• Tennis Sportsbooks
• MLB Sportsbooks
• Golf Sportsbooks
• UFC Sportsbooks
• Boxing Sportsbooks

Apart from the above local sports, bettors can consider other international sports and leagues. Sports betting enthusiasts love popular sports: golf, rugby, NFL, boxing (MMA), and esports. The offshore sportsbook will also have the option of covering live sporting events.

Esports in Kentucky

Esports is the fastest-growing sports market in the world. Many bookmakers are adapting to the booming popularity of esports among sports bettors. When betting on esports at offshore sportsbooks, players can view live sporting events and bet on them as they take place.

The best Kentucky sportsbooks have esports betting features covering both local and international sporting events. The most popular sporting activities receive the most and best coverage on the esports platforms. Esports features a wide range of games, including Fortnite and League of Legends. Some esports platforms also have FPS games featuring millions of players globally, creating a vast sports betting county.

Available Betting Markets in Kentucky Sportsbooks

If you are new to sports betting, you might be overwhelmed by the number of betting markets. The sports betting market refers to a specific bet found on a specific fixture or sporting event. 

Novice and experienced bettors need to understand the various betting markets before placing any bet. The Kentucky sportsbooks have various betting markets, which bettors can choose from. The betting markets range from simple bets to more complex bets, depending on one’s knowledge of the betting market and sporting event.

Below is a comprehensive list of the popular sports betting markets available for Kentucky gamblers:

Futures

With this betting market, players wager on sports events that will take place in the future, even weeks or months from now. The futures are considered the best value bets and are pretty straightforward to work out. Novice bettors should consider starting with futures since they don’t have any too many complexities.

Moneyline

This type of bet is the most common betting market in sports betting. With a moneyline, the players can bet on the possibility of the event having one outcome. If the results of the sporting events include ties, then the money line can include two or three ways. The simple money line betting example is either a team losing or winning. The moneyline betting market is prevalent among beginners.

Total Points

Players wager on the total points covered or collected at the end of a sporting event. After picking the betting line, bettors can either over or under the total points.

Points Spread

The points spread is a little complex for newbies in sports betting. Bets start at +/- 100 because one team has an advantage over the other. Note that it’s very similar to handicap betting. Teams are assigned different points before the match starts.

Team Points

The team points betting market is similar to the total points bet. However, bettors will not wager on under or over; instead, they bet on one team.

Depending on the sportsbooks you pick, you will have access to various betting markets. Betting markets also vary depending on the sporting events one is wagering on. Other available betting markets include:

• Outrights
• Asian Handicap
• Both teams scoring
• Double chance and Draw No Bet
• ACCA betting

The sports betting markets are significant determinants of how fun and successful your bet will be. The betting markets help bettors predict the outcome of their preferred sporting event. 

Bettors who prefer odds-fixed betting should ensure they pick the correct betting markets. We recommend that you should go for the most popular betting markets if you are new to Kentucky sports betting since they should offer competitive odds.

Kentucky Sportsbooks Bonuses

Operators will use sportsbook bonuses and promotions to lure new players and retain existing players. While there are many bonuses and promotions in the online gambling market, they can be grouped into three main categories. Bonuses and promotions are significant to bettors as they increase their bankroll.

They also come with different wagering requirements based on the bookmarker. Kentucky sportsbooks will feature different bonuses and promotions for Kentucky gambling enthusiasts. The Kentucky sportsbook bonuses are grouped into the following main categories:

Sign-Up Bonuses

These are bonuses awarded to new payers after successfully signing up. The signup bonuses are usually a certain percentage of the first deposit made by the player. They tend to have different restrictions, like the number of times one can make rollover bets.

Match Bonuses

These are the most lucrative bonuses for new players. Sportsbook with the match bonus provides new players with a 100% match on their first deposit. Most sportsbooks generally offer between a 50% to 100% match, even though some might increase the match to over 100%.

Deposit Bonuses

The deposit bonuses are eligible for new players who make their first deposit. The deposit bonus is a percentage of the first deposit made by the player. It usually has a minimum deposit limit and a maximum prize amount. Like the match bonuses, they have wagering requirements that bettors must meet.

Reload Bonuses

Funding an account is mandatory if you are wagering for real money. Sports betting enthusiasts frequently fund their accounts. You get a certain percentage of your deposit with the reload bonuses as a “cashback .”The reload bonus can have the same percentage as the signup bonus or slightly lower, depending on the sports betting platform.

Free Bet Bonuses

Most sportsbooks are now offering players free bets to use. Free bet bonuses have a fixed price and can only be used to wage specific sporting events. Free bet bonuses are sometimes offered as a part of the welcome bonus by most popular bookmakers. It can be part of the sportsbook bonus or the casino bonus.

No Deposit Bonuses

The no deposit bonus is the most preferred sportsbook bonus by gamblers. They don’t require any deposit. Bookmarkers offer these bonuses to lure new players and allow bettors to test their betting platforms. They are primarily offered during popular global sporting events like the World Cup or Olympics.

Additionally, bonuses and promotions run by most online sports betting platforms include weekly tournaments, holiday-based promotions, and loyalty programs.

Important factors to remember when looking for the best Kentucky sportsbook bonuses are the wagering requirements and lifespan of the bonus. Bonuses have an expiration period, and if you don’t use them within a specific time, they will be expired. Opt to go for the bonuses with the most precise wagering requirements, especially if you are new to sports betting.

Most sportsbooks don’t treat bonuses like standard funds. Therefore, you cannot withdraw your bonus like regular wins. You have to make a minimum number of bets before successfully cashing out wins from the bonuses. The sportsbook bonuses can be limited to specific sporting events depending on the operator. A bookmaker can award you free bets that can only be used in wagering on football or an ongoing horse racing vent.

Since most sportsbooks have online casinos, they offer bonuses and promotions tailored for both platforms. There are specific sportsbooks or general bonuses that you can use on the sports betting platform and the online casino. Reading the terms and conditions associated with the bonuses and promotions will help you pick the best bonus.

Payment Options

The various payment options that are featured at an online sportsbook can have a big impact on the overall experience. Some of the most popular payment options include:

• Credit Cards
• Debit Cards
• PayPal
• Skrill
• Neteller
• Bitcoin

We have also prepared lists of the best Bitcoin betting sites, best PayPal betting sites, best Neteller betting sites and best Skrill betting sites.

Conclusion

Even though Kentucky was startled by the Covid-19 pandemic, the state is still determined to legalize sports betting. Meanwhile, sports betting enthusiasts in the state are limited to offshore sportsbooks. The sports betting bill was placed on the state’s back burner.

Kentuckians have various options to pick from offshore sportsbooks, with many offering both local and international sporting events. Picking the best sportsbook will affect your online sports betting experience.

Kentucky bettors should always go for the licensed, reputable, and most popular sportsbooks when they want to gamble. Key factors to consider when picking a sportsbook in Kentucky are:

• Licensing and security
• Payment methods
• Sportsbook bonuses
• Available sports
• Available betting markets

Enjoy a fantastic sports wagering experience with any of the best Kentucky sportsbooks available on our site.