Best Kentucky Online Casinos 2025
A hotbed of horse racing in the United States, it’s no surprise that Kentucky has embraced safe and legal online gambling in the past few years, launching online sports betting in September 2023. Currently, online sports betting, online horse racing betting, and sweepstakes casinos are available to KY players, but online casinos for real money remain illegal in the Bluegrass State.
As sweepstakes casinos don’t offer real-money gaming, they aren’t subject to Kentucky laws prohibiting real-money online casinos. You can collect Gold Coins (GC) and play on these sweeps sites for fun and entertainment or collect bonus Sweepstakes Coins (SC), which can be redeemed for cash prizes and gift cards.
Read this complete guide written by our experts to learn what the best social and sweepstakes casinos offer Kentucky players. We’ll go through some of the bonuses you can claim at casinos, the history of gambling in the state, and current gambling laws, and we’ll provide an overview of the land-based facilities in the Bluegrass State.
Our Top Five Recommended Kentucky Casinos
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Top Legal Games to Play at Kentucky Casinos
While Kentucky is known for horse racing, gambling in the Bluegrass State is relatively restrictive compared to other US states. Kentucky offers retail and online sports betting, online horse racing betting, a state lottery, and sweepstakes casinos. DFS entries are also accepted in KY.
Best Casino Games to Win Real Money in Kentucky
These casino-style sweepstakes sites allow you to spin the reels, play hands of blackjack, and even play games with a live dealer. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite KY social and sweepstakes casinos games.
Slots
Blackjack
Roulette
Live Dealer
Crash Games
Card Games
Baccarat
Arcade
Bingo
Casual Games
Craps
Dice Games
Fish Shooting
Game Shows
Instant Games
Instant Tap
Keno
Other
Scratch Cards
Slingo
Table Games
Video Poker
Virtual Sports
Spinmatic
Amatic Industries
Barcrest Games
Spinmatic
SmartSoft Gaming
Casino Web Scripts
Kentucky Online Gambling Overview
Kentucky Gambling Law
Gambling in Kentucky is currently limited to online and retail sports betting, online and in-person horse racing betting, slot-like Historical Horse Racing Machines (HHRs), daily fantasy sports (DFS), and the state lottery. Online casinos are not available.
Online sportsbooks were launched in Kentucky in September 2023. In March of that year, Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 551 into law, making KY the 38th state to legalize sports betting. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation was tasked with creating the administrative regulations for sportsbooks and act as the regulator for online and retail sports betting in the state.
As you would expect, pari-mutuel horse racing betting is also available. Kentucky also launched a state lottery in 1989 following a referendum. Land-based casinos are not available in Kentucky. Instead, many racetracks offer HHRs, which allow you to stake and win using historical racing results to determine the outcome of slot-like games.
These machines are pari-mutuel, and your return is pooled with your fellow players, which allows them to operate legally in the state.
How to Play With Kentucky Casinos
If you want to play slot games, blackjack, or baccarat at top Kentucky social casinos, register with a sweepstakes casino and verify your identity before you can begin playing. The verification process varies by operator but generally requires you to provide some personal information. The process is usually quick and straightforward. Below is a step-by-step guide to registering with Kentucky social casinos.
- Click on any link on this page to be redirected to a Kentucky social casino.
- Select the sign-up option on the website or download the casino’s mobile app and register through the app.
- Provide contact details, such as email, name, date of birth, and address.
- Choose a secure password and complete your registration.
- If required, enter a promo code and make an initial coin purchase to claim a welcome bonus.
- Once your purchase is confirmed and coins are deposited into your virtual wallet, head to the casino lobby and choose your first game.
Accepted Kentucky Online Casino Banking Methods
All players can purchase virtual currency, which they can then use to spin the reels, play table games, and even play with live dealers. Below is a step-by-step guide to purchasing your first coin package at a KY social casino.
- Register for an account by entering some personal information.
- Once your account is confirmed, head to the cashier section and select the amount of GC you’d like to buy.
- Choose your payment method and follow the instructions to complete your purchase.
- Once your payment is confirmed, the coins will be added to your wallet.
Kentucky sweepstakes casinos accept safe and trusted payment methods to purchase gold coins. They typically accept bank cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and ACH. Some even accept cryptocurrencies and prepayment cards.
Who Can Play at Kentucky Online Casinos?
The legal gambling age for all gambling verticals is 18 or older in Kentucky. While online casinos for real money are unavailable in Kentucky, sweepstakes casinos require players to be 18 or over. To verify this, you’ll need to provide a photo ID.
What Legal Requirements Must Players Meet for Kentucky Casinos?
To play at online casinos in Kentucky, you must complete a verification process to confirm that you are at least 18 years old. This process requires submitting a copy of your photo ID. Verification can take an hour to a few days, and you may need to wait for approval before playing.
Who Regulates Online Casinos in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission regulates online gambling in Kentucky. It oversees horse racing, online betting, and retail sports betting. The commission is one of the most famous regulators in the country, as it oversees the Kentucky Derby, one of the Triple Crown Races.
Kentucky Casino Apps for Players
Many players prefer to play games on the go, and many online casinos in Kentucky offer casino-style experiences for players who want to play games on their mobile devices.
Players can access social and sweepstake casinos on specifically designed mobile apps and mobile clients underpinned with HTML5 technology. These sweeps apps provide a user-friendly and immersive experience for iOS and Android devices, offering table games, slots, and live dealer options.
Kentucky Casino Apps for Android
Kentucky sweepstakes casinos offer apps for an immersive and bespoke design for your Android device. Below, we’ve listed some of the best Android casino apps for Kentucky players.
Kentucky Casino Apps for iOS
Kentucky online casinos also offer a range of apps designed for Apple devices. These apps are designed for use on iPhones and iPads, featuring casino apps intended to be played on the go. Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular iOS sweepstake casino apps available to Kentucky players.
History of Online Gambling Laws In Kentucky
Kentucky gambling law has developed significantly since November 1988, when voters approved a state lottery. Online sports betting arrived in the state after multiple failed attempts in September 2023.
Timeline for Online Casino Gambling in Kentucky
April 1989
The Kentucky Lottery launched, offering a range of lottery games and raising money for education in Kentucky.
April 15, 2019
House Bill HB175, a bill proposing legal sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and online poker, wins a majority of the Kentucky Legislature but fails to get 60% of lawmakers to vote to pass.
February 2, 2021
After a Kentucky Supreme Court decision banned HHRs, KY lawmakers passed Senate Bill SB120 to allow the machines to continue to operate.
March 31, 2023
Governor Beshear signs House Bill HB551 into law to legalize online and in-person sports betting.
September 7, 2023
In-person sports wagering launches in Kentucky.
September 28, 2023
Online and mobile sports betting launches in the Bluegrass State.
Legal vs Offshore Casinos in Kentucky: What’s the Difference?
In Kentucky, legal online gambling is currently limited to sports betting, sweepstakes casinos, and social casinos. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation regulates online gambling operators to ensure they comply with state laws and provide players with a secure environment. Online casino gaming is currently unavailable as it has not yet been legalized.
Sweepstakes and social casinos operate differently from traditional online casinos. Rather than accepting the direct exchange of real money for gambling, players purchase and earn virtual currency to use.
Players can earn GC and SC by playing these games, logging in, and participating in social media promotions, which can be redeemed once they’ve accumulated a minimum amount for gift cards, household goods, and even cash prizes.
Some unlicensed websites might offer real-money casino games to players where online gambling is prohibited. These offshore sites are illegal and operate from outside the United States. The operators allow deposits, withdrawals, and real-money wagering but are not regulated. They are outside of jurisdiction and regulatory oversight, so they do not have to follow the strict rules designed to protect players.
Playing at these sites puts you at risk, so to maintain safety, avoid playing at offshore sites. Stick to sweepstakes and social casinos, as these will help protect you as you play.
Land-based Casinos in Kentucky
Derby City Gaming & Hotel
Derby City Gaming & Hotel complex in Louisville was built on a disused harness track, Louisville Downs. After the track closed in 1991, it was abandoned for some time before the 85,000-square-foot, $65 million facility was built. The casino hosts 1,300 historical racing machines and an entertainment floor. It also features a center bar and two restaurants, and it hosts several bands and DJs.
Mint Gaming Hall – Kentucky Downs
Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs is a gaming hall in Franklin, KY, at the site of a thoroughbred horse racing track. The Mint features over 1,000 slot games, a Circa Sports Sportsbook, a Marriott Hotel, a steakhouse, simulcast horse racing wagering, and various bars and restaurants. The Kentucky Downs site also hosts an entertainment venue offering a calendar of bands and comedy acts.
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel is a gambling property owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated. It offers over 1,200 slot machines. Alongside its racetrack, the 13,000-square-foot site features a hotel, an outdoor amphitheater, two restaurants, two bars, a fitness center, and a cafe. Oak Grove has hosted several regional musical acts and comedy shows.
FAQs
Are online casinos legal in Kentucky?
While online casinos for real money aren’t legal, sweepstakes casinos accept KY players. These sites offer a range of casino-style games giving you the experience of spinning the reels and playing table games without spending a dime.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Kentucky?
Sweepstake casinos are legal for Kentucky players. They can operate in the Bluegrass State because they do not accept real money for gambling. Instead of real money, you play for virtual currency at Kentucky sweepstakes casinos, which has no monetary value.
What are the best online casinos in Kentucky?
Kentucky’s best online casinos include popular sweepstakes casinos like Real Prize Casino, Hello Millions, High5 Casino, WOW Vegas, and Stake.us. These sites offer a range of slot titles, table games, and even live dealer options for virtual currency.
Are Kentucky online casinos safe?
Yes, Kentucky online casinos are safe and accessible to players in Kentucky. These sites accept virtual currency, which can be purchased in packages using secure and trusted payment methods. They also offer a range of responsible gambling tools and have clear and transparent terms and conditions.
Can I claim bonuses at Kentucky casinos?
Yes, many bonuses are available to players at Kentucky sweepstakes casinos. These include welcome bonuses, which you receive just for registering, reload bonuses and discounts on coin packages, and a range of recurring bonuses for existing players, like tournaments and happy hours.
