Kentucky Casino Laws
Kentucky Gambling Laws Kentucky gambling laws define gambling as, “staking or risking something of value on 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.”.
- Gambling law is a hot topic in Kentucky, specifically casino gambling. It’s seen by many as a potential source of additional revenue. Kentucky’s neighbors either already offer casino gambling or are making moves to do so, and with that kind of competition, it’s hard to imagine the Commonwealth not trying to recapture some of that money.
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- There are no casinos in Kentucky and state gambling laws are very strict. Kentucky has a state lottery and permits parimutuel betting, bingo halls, and horse and dog racing. There are no laws that relate to online gambling, yet the state of Kentucky is against it.
Kentucky is not a gambling-friendly state by any means. Actually, it could have some of the strictest laws around gambling in the entire country.
That being said, Kentucky does have minimal options for those looking to press their luck, including the famously known Kentucky Derby.
Horse racing is legal in the Bluegrass State, as well as the state lottery.
Is online gambling in the future of Kentucky? And how did the state become so strict towards gambling in the first place? We break it down and more in our Kentucky gambling guide below.
Online Casinos in Kentucky
Although Kentucky has a long tradition with horse racing, it has not legalized casinos (online or otherwise).
New Casino Kentucky
There have been limited discussions of legalizing online casinos, but it seems unlikely that we'll see online casinos offered there in the foreseeable future.
Kentucky does have a state lottery, which can indicate an openness to other forms of betting.
The nearest online casinos will be in West Virginia, which has already approved legislation. Tennessee has recently approved online sports betting.
But, you can still register with a legal online casino while you're in Kentucky.
That means you can get the casino's bonus offers or deposit, and then play whenever you're in states where it's legal (even in a layover at the airport). (Do be aware of the casinobonus's expiry date, though.)
The only forms of legal online gambling in the state include the lottery and pari-mutuel betting.
Land-Based Casinos in Kentucky
Florida Casino Laws
The most common type of gambling offered is pari-mutuel betting on thoroughbred horse racing at the 10 racetracks located throughout the state.
The most famous horse race offered in the state is the Kentucky Derby, which has been run annually since 1875.
The Kentucky Derby is always run at Churchill Downs on the first Sunday in May.
A festival is also held each year for two weeks before the race in Louisville, where the track is located. Louisville is also the state's largest city.
There are three racetrack casinos in Kentucky that offer some form of casino gambling. There are no traditional slot machines in Kentucky casinos. Instead, they all offer instant racing bettingmachines.
While these machines may appear to be regular slot machines, they are actually gaming machines that are based on unidentified past horse races and the spinning reels shown on the machinesare for entertainment purposes only.
Those instant racing machines are the only types of casino gambling offered in Kentucky casinos. You will not find any table games offered at the casinos in Kentucky.
Types of Casinos in Kentucky
There are no traditional casinos in Kentucky.
Residents have numerous racetracks to choose from, as explained above.
List of Racetracks in Kentucky
Click on any of the race tracks below to learn more about them.
Derby City Gaming
- 4520 Poplar Level Rd, Louisville, KY 40213
- +1 502-961-7600
- Games: Instant racing betting machines
Ellis Park
- 3300 US-41, Henderson, KY 42420
- +1 812-425-1456
- Games: Instant racing betting machines
Kentucky Downs
- 5629 Nashville Rd, Franklin, KY 42134
- +1 270-586-7778
- Games: Instant racing betting machines
Red Mile
- 1200 Red Mile Rd, Lexington, KY 40504
- +1 859-255-0752
- Games: Instant racing betting machines
Churchill Downs
- 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
- +1 502-636-4400
- Games: Instant racing betting machines
- Hosts the Kentucky Derby
Turfway Park
- 7500 Turfway Rd, Florence, KY 41042
- +1 859-371-0200
- Games: Instant racing betting machines
Keeneland
- 4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY 40510
- +1 859-254-3412
- Games: Instant racing betting machines
Kentucky Land-Based Casinos Map
Map
You can easily see all casino locations by using our Kentucky casinos map. To zoom in, just click the + (plus) sign in the lower right corner of the map, or to zoom out, just clickthe – (minus) sign in the same area.
To move the map of casinos in Kentucky, click and hold down either of your mouse buttons. Then use the hand icon to drag the map in whichever direction you desire.
Each of the red icons on the map is a casino location. Just click on any red icon to see the name of the casino at that location. If you want more information on that casino, simply click againon the casino’s name and it will direct you to another page with detailed information on that particular casino, including address, phone number, toll-free phone number, room rates, casinosize, dining information, games offered, availability of discounts for seniors, any special features, and a direct link to that casino’s website.
History of Gambling in Kentucky
While many of the horse racing tracks have been in business since 1875, gambling only really began in Kentucky in the 1920s. This is mainly due to the fact that the race tracks did not wantanything to do with gambling for a long time.
When pari-mutuel betting debuted in the 1920s, horse racing became extremely popular in the state. Multiple racinos began operating and residents could now start placing wagers on the KentuckyDerby.
It was only in the 1980s when more forms of gambling were legalized, and the lottery was introduced.
In 1992, charitable bingo games were also deemed legal in KY.
In recent years, most forms of gambling remain illegal in the state with few discussions on trying to change the current laws.
The Kentucky Derby remains the most popular race in perhaps the country.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby has a rich history behind it, dating back all the way to 1872. A gentleman by the name of Meriwether Lewis Clark (grandson of William Clark from Lewis & Clark pair) tooka trip to the United Kingdom and watched the Epson Derby.
He enjoyed the race so much, he decided to start one himself when he returned to the United States.
Clark was able to build a large track on land his uncles John and Henry Churchill gave him and formed the Louisville Jockey Club.
The first race was held on May 17th, 1875, and featured 15 thoroughbred horses. Over 10,000 people came to watch the event.
Of course, the Kentucky Derby today is not the same race it was back in the 1800s. However, centuries later, and the event is still the most popular race in America.
You can read more about the timeline of the Kentucky Derby, here.
Kentucky Gambling Laws and Regulatory Organizations
The gambling laws in KY are very strict and will go so far as to press charges against those who are caught participating in any forms of illegal gambling.
This includes online and social gaming.
Bills have been brought to the state in an effort to relax some of the laws around gambling, like allowing slot games, but have all been shot down.
The Department of Charitable Gaming sees over all charity games in the state, including raffles and bingo, and distributes the licenses.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission works with the state to regulate all pari-mutuelbetting and racing in KY.
Gambling in Kentucky Today
Residents of Kentucky today have pari-mutuel betting, the lottery, and bingo as options for legal gambling.
It's unlikely online casinos will be legalized in Kentucky any time soon, but gamblers can look forward to the Kentucky Derby every year.
If you find yourself in court due to illegal gambling, you can try and argue that you're just a player as the laws seem to be much harder and stricter on operators.
Fun Facts
Did you know?
In 2017, the Kentucky Derby raked in almost $1 Billion in wagers!
Useful Resources
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For more information on visiting the casinos in Kentucky, call the Kentucky Department of Tourism at (800) 225-8747, or visit their website at https://www.kentuckytourism.com/.
An Overview of Gambling Laws in the State Of Kentucky
For many, gambling and Kentucky immediately inspire thoughts of the world-famous horse race – the Kentucky Derby. Racing is big business in this State, though it is far from the only story when it comes to gambling. The apparent exemption of ‘players’ from the strict anti-gambling laws and the unprecedented seizure of gambling domain names by this State are both unique. This article covers the Kentucky gambling laws in depth.
First up below, you will find a fast-paced history of gambling in the Bluegrass State, from early lotteries through to today’s conditions. After that there is a game-by-game list, along with a legal status for each. Next comes some key quotes from the Kentucky Statutes covering gambling law – before at the end of the page you will find a summary and look into the future.
Kentucky Gambling Laws – A Brief History
The constitution of Kentucky was deliberately given anti-gambling wording to stop the prevalent lotteries of the 1800’s – which were often corrupt. The only form of gambling which has been allowed throughout is pari-mutuel betting on horse and dog races. Kentucky is a world center for the horse racing business, and has been hosting one of the world’s best known and most prestigious races – the Kentucky Derby – since 1875. In addition to the famous Churchill Downs track this State hosts many other first-class racing tracks and venues.
It was not until the 1980’s that gambling was allowed to extend beyond betting on horse races, when the 1988 lottery act was passed. The State lottery is hugely popular today and the profits go to good causes including education. 1992 saw the good causes benefit even more, when charity gambling games were given a carve-out including bingo, raffles and pull-tabs.
The more recent history of gambling laws in Kentucky is the most interesting. In 2008 more than 140 domain names were named as ‘gambling devices’ and seized by the State. While their right to do this was immediately questioned (and many domains returned), the litigation is still ongoing in 2014. This related to the .com extensions, and has forced many gambling site operators to choose alternate domains to avoid any future issues.
This demonstrates that Kentucky are dead serious in their quest to go after the operators of gambling games – whether they be brick and mortar or online. At the same time the rules were softened for participants in these games. You can now use the fact that you were only a player in game as defense in court of law against gambling charges.
What Forms Of Gambling Are Currently Legal?
Casino Games: No, there are no regulated casinos or tribal ones in Kentucky. The best you can hope for here is a charitable ‘casino night’ with minimal prizes for a good cause. Many Kentucky residents cross the border into neighboring Ohio or Indiana to enjoy their tribal and riverboat casinos.
Online Casinos: No, nothing in the current laws mentions the internet, though the seizure of domain names shows clearly that the government believed this to be illegal.
Live Poker: Home games appear to be tolerated, as are free tournaments (no entry-fees) and charity poker games. Players in social games are specifically excluded from prosecution, while the organizers or anyone profiting from these games can find themselves in major trouble.
Online Poker: No, as the seizure of more than 140 gambling domains and suits against some of the major gambling sites show, this State should not be considered as a contender for regulated State poker games any time soon.
Sports Betting: Yes, this is the one exception area in an otherwise generally anti-gambling State. Pari-mutuel betting is allowed – even online via licensed off-track operators. The famous Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs racetrack has become world-famous, and residents can enjoy betting on events here all year-round. There are also racing video games which allow betting on previously recorded races, though only on-track.
Lottery Betting: Yes, there is a lottery which includes shared games with other States. Profits from this are diverted to education and development causes. There is talk of allowing the purchase of lottery tickets online as soon as 2015.
Bingo Games: Yes, bingo, pull-tabs and raffles are regulated and licensed in this State under a specific charity / good causes carve out.
Kentucky Casino Laws
Kentucky Gambling Laws – Timeline and Key Statutes
Is There A Casino In Kentucky
The gambling Statutes in Kentucky are very much focused on the organizers of and those profiting from ‘illegal’ gambling activity. So much so that being a mere player in a game is permitted as a defense in a courtroom. One thing that really sticks out from the wording of the legislation is that gambling on games of skill is excluded. For many people, poker would fit in nicely as a ‘game of skill’ under the definition below – this has never been tested in court.
How To Report Illegal Gambling In Kentucky
[su_quote]”Gambling” means 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. A contest or game in which eligibility to participate is determined by chance and the ultimate winner is determined by skill shall not be considered to be gambling. (From 528.010)[/su_quote]
Here is the section concerning being only a player from the same chapter on definitions:
[su_quote](7) “Player” means a person who engages in any form of gambling solely as a contestant or bettor, without receiving or becoming entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct, or operation of the particular gambling activity. A person who engages in “bookmaking” as defined in subsection (2) of this section is not a “player. “The status of a “player” shall be a defense to any prosecution under this chapter[/su_quote]
That seems pretty clear, if you are only a player, you do not face the (strict) penalties given to bookmakers, owners of gambling devices or organizers of games who are making a profit. The pattern here is that Kentucky is super-strict in chasing down those offering gambling (especially online), yet fairly relaxed when it comes to playing of these games.
Here are some of the significant dates in the history of gambling in Kentucky.
1875: First running of the infamous Kentucky Derby
1931: Legal challenge to stop horse racing betting fails when the high court rules against claims that this should be banned under the State legislation covering lotteries.
1988: State lottery amendment passed in a Senate vote, the first draw took place one year later in 1989.
1992: Charitable gaming regulations relaxed this includes special events, bingo games and pull-tabs.
2008: Kentucky moves to seize more than 140 domain names from international poker operators. This litigation is still going on today, though the domains are being used by the operators at this point. It is not clear whether an individual State has the jurisdiction to seize domain names.
2010: Separate legal action taken against PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and the now closed Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet sites for offering illegal gambling.
2011: A bill to license slot games is voted down in the Kentucky Senate.
Kentucky Gambling Laws – Summary and a Look to the Future
If you are a player in Kentucky then you are free to enjoy horse race betting, charity games, social games and lottery betting too. If you are an organizer of illegal games or the owner of ‘gambling devices’ then you had better be on your guard – the State is relentless in their pursuit of the game operators.
Ohio Casino Laws
Recent legislative efforts have not managed get far enough to have casinos inside the State borders, which means people continue to cross into neighboring States to enjoy these games. The crack-down on online gambling also shows that Kentucky is unlikely to be an early adopter of regulated online poker games within their State. Like many other States, we will need to revisit this subject once those early adopters are showing steady tax revenues via their online operations.
Useful Resources:
Statutes:
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