Live in Kentucky Updated August 25, 2026 Belmont Recap

Kentucky Sports
Betting Guide

Kentucky sports betting is live in the Bluegrass State. Golden Tempo won the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on June 6, completing a two-for-two classic season; and HB 904's 21+ age requirement kicks in in 0 days.

Triple Crown 2026 → Compare Sportsbooks
8Licensed Sportsbooks
18+Min Age (21+ Jul 13)
23-1Derby Winner Odds
2:02.27Derby Winning Time
Legal SinceSep 28, 2023
RegulatorKY Horse Racing Commission
Tax Rate9.75% on Revenue
License CapacityUp to 27 Online
Updated August 25, 2026

Latest Kentucky Betting News

All news →
Financial

Churchill Downs Posts Record $980M Q2 Revenue, Buys Back Full Ownership of United Tote

Churchill Downs Incorporated posted its strongest quarter in company history with $980M in net revenue and $477M in adjusted EBITDA, driven by a record 152nd Kentucky Derby. The company also reversed course on a 2024 deal, agreeing to buy back the 49% of United Tote it sold to NYRA and restore full ownership of its pari-mutuel technology arm.

Read →
Just Run; May 2, 2026

2026 Kentucky Derby Recap

Golden Tempo overcame 23-1 odds and a last-place trip to win the 152nd Run for the Roses. Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner in the race’s 152-year history.

152nd Kentucky Derby · Churchill Downs

Golden Tempo storms the stretch at 23-1

Jose Ortiz angled Golden Tempo to the outside in upper stretch and reeled in heavy favorite Renegade in the final strides, denying the chalk by a head. It was Ortiz’s first Derby win in 11 tries. Long shot Ocelli (70-1) completed the trifecta. Winning time: 2:02.27.

Cherie DeVaux made history as the first female trainer ever to win the Kentucky Derby; a milestone moment in American horse racing.

$2 Win / Place / Show

Win$48.24
Place$19.14
Show$11.90

Top 4 Finishers

  1. 1Golden Tempo23-1
  2. 2Renegade5-1
  3. 3Ocelli70-1
  4. 4Chief Wallabee7-1
Expert Reviewed

Best Kentucky Sportsbooks

All 8 licensed online sportsbooks operating in Kentucky, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the KY Horse Racing Commission. Minimum age is currently 18 statewide, rising to 21 on July 13, 2026 under HB 904.

#1

FanDuel Sportsbook

Mobile Betting & Same-Game Parlays
4.8/5
Get $350 in Bonus Bets ($50/day for 7 days)
Wager $5+ each day for 7 consecutive days; $50 in Bonus Bets per day, up to $350 total
Claim Bonus →

New customers only. Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days ($50 in Bonus Bets per day). Sign up, verify your account, and deposit at least $5, then place a single online real-money wager of $5+ between 3AM ET and 11:59 PM ET on each of 7 consecutive days. The 7-day period begins on your first eligible wager once you opt in. Max bonus $50 per day. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.

21+ and present in KY. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  • Most popular sportsbook in the US by handle and market share
  • Industry-leading same-game parlay builder
  • Launched in Kentucky on September 28, 2023
Min Deposit$5
Withdrawal24-48 hours
App Rating4.8 ★
Read full FanDuel Kentucky review →
#2

DraftKings Sportsbook

Market Depth & Live Betting
4.8/5
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Wager $5 on any market; $200 bonus bets credited instantly. Valid through July 1, 2026
  • Broadest market selection in Kentucky
  • Industry-leading live in-game pricing
  • Daily odds boosts across NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA
Min Deposit$5
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.8 ★
Read full DraftKings Kentucky review →
#3

BetMGM Sportsbook

Highest Welcome Bonus & MGM Rewards
4.7/5
Up to $1,500 First Bet Refund
Stake refunded as bonus bets if first bet loses. Valid through July 31, 2026
  • Biggest welcome bonus available in Kentucky
  • Retail sportsbook at Sandy's Racing & Gaming (Ashland)
  • Full MGM Rewards integration for hotel and dining comps
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.6 ★
Read full BetMGM Kentucky review →
#4

bet365 Sportsbook

Guaranteed Welcome Bonus & Live Streaming
4.6/5
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Place a $5 first bet. If it wins, $150 in bonus bets credited. Valid through June 30, 2026
  • Easiest welcome bonus in Kentucky; paid win or lose
  • Best live streaming library of any KY sportsbook
  • Partnered with Sandy's Racing & Gaming
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-48 hours
App Rating4.5 ★
Read full bet365 Kentucky review →
#5

Caesars Sportsbook

Loyalty Rewards & 100+ Daily Odds Boosts
4.5/5
10× 100% Profit Boost Tokens
Place a $1 first bet to unlock ten 100% profit boost tokens. Valid through Aug 18, 2026
  • Caesars Rewards integration; earn Tier Credits and Reward Credits on every wager
  • 100+ daily odds boosts
  • 30-day bonus bet window
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.5 ★
Read full Caesars Kentucky review →
#6

Fanatics Sportsbook

Sports Fans Who Buy Merchandise
4.4/5
Get up to 1,000 FanCash Matched Bets
100% bet match up to 100 FanCash for 10 days
Claim Bonus →

Up to 1,000 FanCash Matched Bets. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Apply promotion in bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting day of account creation. FanCash rewards will equal the qualifying wager amount (max 100 FanCash/day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, incl. FanCash terms, apply—see Fanatics Sportsbook app.

21+ and present in KY. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  • FanCash earned on wagers redeemable for team merchandise
  • Aggressive ongoing promotional calendar
  • Backed by Fanatics, the largest US sports merchandise retailer
Min Deposit$5
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.3 ★
Read full Fanatics Kentucky review →
#7

Circa Sports

Sharp Bettors & High Limits
4.3/5
No traditional welcome bonus
Circa's value proposition is the best lines in the market; no bonus bets offered
  • Sharpest odds of any Kentucky sportsbook
  • Highest betting limits in the US
  • No bonus-based loyalty program; pure value play
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-48 hours
App Rating4.2 ★
Read full Circa Kentucky review →
#8

theScore Bet

Sports News Integration
4.2/5
Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
Place a $10 first wager. If it wins, $100 in bonus bets credited. Valid through July 31, 2026
  • Integrated with theScore sports news app
  • Backed by PENN Entertainment
  • Replaced ESPN BET in Kentucky during 2025
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.1 ★
Read full theScore Kentucky review →

View all sportsbook reviews →

July 2026

Welcome Bonus Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Kentucky bettors.

SportsbookWelcome BonusConditionMin Deposit
FanDuel Sportsbook Get $350 in Bonus Bets ($50/day for 7 days) Wager $5+ each day for 7 consecutive days; $50 in Bonus Bets per day, up to $350 total $5
DraftKings Sportsbook Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Wager $5 on any market; $200 bonus bets credited instantly. Valid through July 1, 2026 $5
BetMGM Sportsbook Up to $1,500 First Bet Refund Stake refunded as bonus bets if first bet loses. Valid through July 31, 2026 $10
bet365 Sportsbook Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Place a $5 first bet. If it wins, $150 in bonus bets credited. Valid through June 30, 2026 $10
Caesars Sportsbook 10× 100% Profit Boost Tokens Place a $1 first bet to unlock ten 100% profit boost tokens. Valid through Aug 18, 2026 $10
Fanatics Sportsbook Get up to 1,000 FanCash Matched Bets 100% bet match up to 100 FanCash for 10 days $5
Circa Sports No traditional welcome bonus Circa's value proposition is the best lines in the market; no bonus bets offered $10
theScore Bet Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets Place a $10 first wager. If it wins, $100 in bonus bets credited. Valid through July 31, 2026 $10
Step by Step

How to Start Betting in Kentucky

From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here's exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the Bluegrass State.

01

Choose a Sportsbook

Pick a licensed Kentucky sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the KY Horse Racing Commission.

02

Create Your Account

Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you're in Kentucky.

03

Claim Your Bonus

Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers; compare before committing.

04

Fund & Start Betting

Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.

Full Markets

What Can You Bet On?

Kentucky sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports.

👑

Triple Crown 2026

Hub for all three legs. Derby (Golden Tempo), Preakness (Napoleon Solo), and Belmont (Golden Tempo) all complete.

Read guide → 🌟

Belmont Stakes

158th Belmont results: Golden Tempo (6-1) won at Saratoga, rallying from last to first over 1 1/4 miles. Full payouts and finishing order.

Read guide → 🌹

Kentucky Derby

Full 2026 recap; Golden Tempo (23-1), how to bet, past winners, Triple Crown context

Read guide → 🏆

Preakness Stakes

Napoleon Solo (10-1) recap from Laurel Park. Past winners, payouts, and the Belmont result.

Read guide → 🏇

Horse Racing

All 9 Kentucky tracks; Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Turfway Park, Kentucky Downs

Read guide → 🏀

College Basketball

Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals; college hoops is king in the Bluegrass State

Read guide → 🏈

NFL · Bengals

Bengals popular among KY bettors. Full NFL coverage, Super Bowl futures, player props

Read guide →
⭐

NBA · MLB · UFC

Full NBA, MLB (Reds), UFC, golf, and tennis coverage. Dedicated guides coming soon.

Legal Framework

Kentucky Sports Betting Laws

📜 House Bill 551

Kentucky legalized sports betting through House Bill 551, signed by Governor Andy Beshear in 2023. Online betting launched on September 28, 2023. The KY Horse Racing Commission oversees all operations.

💰 Tax Structure

Operators pay 9.75% on Revenue. Revenue supports state programs including responsible gambling initiatives and education.

📋 Licensing

Kentucky allows up to 27 online sportsbook licenses. Currently 8 operators are live and accepting wagers.

🎓 College Betting

Betting on college sports including Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals is legal. HB 904 (April 2026) gives the regulator authority to restrict player props on in-state college athletes.

📍 Retail Sportsbooks

Kentucky allows retail sportsbooks at its nine licensed racetracks including Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Turfway Park, and others. Each racetrack can partner with up to three online operators.

🔒 Age & Location

You must currently be at least 18 years old and physically located within Kentucky to place legal sports bets. Under HB 904, the minimum age rises to 21 on July 13, 2026. Residency is not required; geolocation verifies your location.

Key Timeline

May 2018 Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, enabling state legalization
Mar 31, 2023 Governor Beshear signs HB 551, legalizing sports betting in Kentucky
Sep 28, 2023 Online sports betting goes live; seven sportsbooks launch on day one
Apr 2024 Circa Sports launches as the newest sportsbook operator in Kentucky
Apr 2026 Lawmakers override veto on HB 904; minimum age rises to 21, fixed-odds racing and DFS legalized
May 2, 2026 152nd Kentucky Derby; Golden Tempo (23-1) wins under Jose Ortiz; Cherie DeVaux becomes first woman to train a Derby winner
May 16, 2026 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park; Napoleon Solo (10-1) wins in 1:58.69 for trainer Chad Summers; no Triple Crown possible in 2026
Jun 6, 2026 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga; Golden Tempo (6-1) wins from last to first, Commandment 2nd, Renegade 3rd; Napoleon Solo skipped the race
Jul 13, 2026 21+ age requirement takes effect for all Kentucky sportsbooks
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, in 2:02.27; closing from last place at 23-1 odds to edge favorite Renegade at the wire under jockey Jose Ortiz. Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman ever to train a Kentucky Derby winner. A $2 win ticket paid $48.24.

Who won the 2026 Preakness Stakes?

Napoleon Solo won the 151st Preakness on May 16, 2026 at Laurel Park (Pimlico is closed for renovation). Trained by Chad Summers and ridden by Paco Lopez at 10-1, he ran down favorite Iron Honor in the stretch and paid $17.80 to win. With Derby winner Golden Tempo skipping, no 2026 Triple Crown is possible.

Is sports betting legal in Kentucky?

Yes. Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 on March 31, 2023. Retail betting launched September 7, 2023, and online betting launched September 28, 2023. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regulates the industry.

How old do I have to be to bet in Kentucky?

The legal betting age is currently 18. Under House Bill 904; passed in April 2026 after lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto; the minimum age rises to 21 effective July 13, 2026. Operators have until that date to remove access for bettors under 21. FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars already require users to be 21+.

How many sportsbooks are in Kentucky?

There are currently eight licensed online sportsbooks operating in Kentucky: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, Fanatics, Circa Sports, and theScore Bet. Each of the state’s nine racetracks can partner with up to three online operators, allowing for up to 27 total licenses; meaning more operators may enter the market in the future.

Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby?

Yes. Horse racing betting has been legal in Kentucky for over a century. With sports betting now live, you can place wagers on the Kentucky Derby through licensed sportsbook apps in addition to traditional pari-mutuel wagering at Churchill Downs and other tracks.

Can I bet on UK Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals?

Yes, you can bet on both Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals games. College sports betting is legal in Kentucky, though proposed legislation may restrict player props on in-state college athletes.

Do I need to be a Kentucky resident?

No. Anyone who meets the age requirement and is physically located within Kentucky can place legal sports bets. Geolocation technology verifies your position.

What is the tax rate?

Kentucky imposes a 9.75% tax on operators’ adjusted gross gaming revenue. Revenue supports the state’s general fund and responsible gambling programs.

Are retail sportsbooks available?

Yes. Retail sportsbooks are available at Kentucky’s nine licensed racetracks including Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Turfway Park, Kentucky Downs, and others.