Kentucky Launches Online Sports Betting

Online Sports Betting Goes Live in Kentucky

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 14 October 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

See Full Bio

What Were the Benefits of the Early Birds

Many sports fans jumped on the opportunity right at the start, with some having previously registered on the platforms. These early birds were capitalizing on the head start they got from pre-registering in the weeks leading up to the launch.

According to PlayUSA:

While it’s too late to take advantage of the early registration bonuses they offered, those who are yet to open their accounts should stray from FOMO. The sportsbooks have great offers available to celebrate their Kentucky launches, too.

Those interested in betting on sports can now choose from a variety of operators, some of which are already household names in the USA.

The launch comes at a great time for sports fans and operators, as the football season is now in full swing. This means that huge numbers of sports fans will be ready to place bets and make the most of sports betting access in the state.

A Range of Top Operators and Promotions to Choose From

The betting platforms currently available are Barstool Sportsbook, Bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel – all major names in the sports betting industry. Getting started is simple, as sports fans simply need to download the app, register, and once approved, deposit funds to start betting. Some highlights of the current offerings from different operators are:

Bet365: With this operator, Kentucky’s new users can earn $365 in bonus bets by risking just $1. However, it is important for bettors to understand that these bonuses aren’t withdrawable but can be used for placing further bets.

BetMGM: The sportsbook is offering its new Kentucky patrons a potential $1,500 in bonus bets. If their first bet doesn’t win, users can get bonus bets up to the amount they wagered.

Caesars: Caesars is offering $250 in bonus bets for those new to their platform in Kentucky, following a minimum deposit and stake of $50.

DraftKings: DraftKings provides different offers for new and returning users. Newcomers can get up to $200 in bonus bets by betting just $5.

Fanatics: Rather than offering pure betting incentives, Fanatics offers a $150 credit for merchandise on their website after a qualifying bet.

FanDuel: In line with its competitors, FanDuel presents a similar offer to DraftKings, where a bet of $5 can fetch $200 in bonus bets for Kentucky’s new bettors.

Kentuckians are being advised to bet responsibly now that this new avenue of entertainment has opened up. This includes being transparent about betting habits, treating it as entertainment rather than a money-making scheme, setting strict limits, not betting while drunk, and avoiding emotional decision-making.

This could help to reduce the risk of a huge rise in problem gambling, which is something that has been seen in other states that have legalized sports betting.