Kentucky Sports Betting

Kentucky's sports betting officially commenced in September 2023 following the enactment of House Bill 551, signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear on March 31, 2023. Retail sports betting became available on September 7, 2023, followed by the launch of online sports wagering on September 28, 2023.

Authorized sports betting operators include racetracks, OTBs and online operators that have an agreement with a racetrack.

In 2026, the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 904, a sweeping update to the state's sports betting regulatory framework. The bill passed the House in March 2026 and the Senate shortly after. Governor Andy Beshear vetoed HB 904 on April 13, 2026, citing concerns about restricting adult access to legal wagering. The General Assembly overrode the governor's veto on April 14–15, 2026, making HB 904 the law.

In June 2017, Sen. Julian M. Carroll introduced a bill that would empower Kentucky's racing commission to "institute a system of sports wagering." The bill was introduced to the Appropriations & Revenue committee, but did not receive a vote before the 2019 General Assembly session ended in March.