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.

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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).

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

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

Casinos Near Me Ky

• 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

Casinos Near Me Map

Kentucky Land-Based Casinos Map

No Indian Casinos and No Commercial Casinos

Kentucky has limited gambling. State laws allow horse betting at race tracks, parimutuel off-track betting, a few video gaming centers, the Kentucky Lottery and charitable gaming.

Indian Casinos

Two preconditions must be met before an Indian casino becomes a possibility in this state. First, a Kentucky tribe must receive federal recognition, and second, Kentucky must legalize casino gambling.

At the present time Kentucky has two tribes, the Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky and the Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians. Neither tribe is formally recognized by the U.S. Department of Interior, so neither tribe qualifies for Indian gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).

Kentucky Horse Racing

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has licensed five thoroughbred and two standardbred racetracks.

Thoroughbred Race Tracks
Churchill Downs - Louisville, KY, Ellis Park - Henderson, KY, Keeneland - Lexington, KY, Kentucky Downs, Franklin KY and Turfway Park - Florence, KY

Standardbred Race Tracks
The Red Mile - Lexington, KY and Oak Grove Racing & Gaming - Fort Campbell, KY (Opening 2020)

News Headlines

New Bill Would Authorize Four Casinos by 2021February 6, 2019 - The bill would authorize full-scale casino gambling including slot machines, table games and sports betting. Up to four casino licenses would be issued to casino developers and slots-only permits issued to racetracks.... Read moreCasino Proposal: 'Raven Rock Casino Resort'February 5, 2019 - A casino resort has been proposed for the city of Jenkins in Letcher County. It would include family entertainment attractions like tree top walks, ziplines and mountain coasters.... Read more News Archive ...

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News Articles

New Bill Would Allow Four Casinos by 2021

February 6, 2019

A new bill was introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly yesterday by Rep. Dennis Keene that would allow casino gambling in the state. It is House Bill 190 which has moved to the Appropriations & Revenue Committee for review.

These are the key highlights of the bill:

• The bill would authorize full-scale casino gambling including slot machines, table games and sports betting.
• Up to four commercial casinos in 'brick-and-mortar' buildings would be licensed by the Kentucky Lottery. These casinos would offer full casino gaming.
• Slot machine licensing would be issued to racetrack operators.
• Casino licenses would cost of $50 million and slot licenses for racetracks would cost $25 million.
• The minimum casino gambling age would be 21 years old.
• Voter referendums would be required in each county wanting a casino. Local voters would approve or reject the casino.
• A constitutional amendment is required for casino gambling and would appear on the November 2020 General Election ballot.

If voters approve the constitutional amendment 2020, this legislation would be effective January 1, 2021. Casino construction would take 12-18 months.

Back Full Page >Kentucky Casinos Updates 2021

Casino Proposal: 'Raven Rock Casino Resort'

February 5, 2019

A casino has been proposed for the city of Jenkins in Letcher County, Kentucky. It would be named Raven Rock Casino Resort.

An investor, Kevin Mullins, said: 'This city was built on coal, it very much was, but if we're going to continue to grow the city it's going to have to be built on something else. There is no magic bullet but this [casino] is as close as we're going to see to a magic bullet.

Raven Rock Casino Resort's attraction will be its casino but it will also be a family destination.

'Raven Rock can be the draw for the whole area. We want downhill biking, tree top walks, ziplines, mountain coasters, things like that, a true adventure,' said James Hibbitts, CEO of Raven Rock Entertainment.

Raven Rock Casino Resort proposed building site is on a plateau on Pine Mountain. It would offer a vast view of Eastern Kentucky. If approved it would take about two years to build.

Back Full Page >Kentucky Casinos Updates 2021

News Headlines Continued

02.03.2016 Bill Introduced for KY Casinos
02.19.2014 Win at KY Casinos with these tips
11.21.2013 Bill Proposes 8 Casinos in KY
05.06.2013 Will Casinos be good for KYs Commonwealth?
03.05.2013 Opening of OH casino raises talks of Louisville Casino
02.17.2011 Recognition for Native American Tribes approved by House Committee

Casinos Near Me Kyle

06.09.2009 Beshear's video slots plan
01.12.2009 Bill Could Legalize Slot Machines In Kentucky
07.22.2008 Kentucky casinos still possible
07.03.2008 Ellis Park to close
03.31.2008 Beshear Says Casino Bill Dead
03.10.2008 Beshear's Casino Proposal On Hold, Focus Shifted To Cigarette Tax
02.26.2008 Kentucky Casino Bill Fails in Committee
02.26.2008 Casinos voted down in legislative committee
02.15.2008 Governor Proposes 12 Casinos
02.15.2008 Kentucky Casino Locations
02.14.2008 Ky. Governor Makes Case For Casinos
02.12.2008 Ky. Considers Legalizing Casinos
01.02.2008 Casino Decision Coming in 2008
11.09.2007 Kentucky Election Signals Casinos are Coming

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