Kentucky legalized online sports betting in March 2023, and the first mobile sportsbooks are expected to launch in September 2023. Pari-mutuel wagering and sports betting onlyġ8 for pari-mutuel, sports betting, bingo, and lottery games The minimum gambling age in Kentucky is 18 for horse race betting, sports betting, and lottery games. Games where skill predominates over chance are not considered to be gambling games. Here, gambling is defined as 'staking or risking something of value upon 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.' Illegal gambling is covered by Section 528 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. In March 2023, the Kentucky legislature passed a bill to legalize land-based and mobile sports betting, heralding the most significant expansion of gambling since the establishment of the state lottery in 1988. Its nine racetracks are hugely important to the local economy, and include Churchill Downs, home of the famous Kentucky Derby. There are no casinos, although the state has a famous and thriving parimutuel horse racing industry. Kentucky is somewhat restrictive when it comes to gambling.
