Kentucky 18+ Casinos

Can You Gamble At 18 In Kentucky?

Kentucky is one of the 18+ gambling states, as they allows adults access to all their gambling options. Eighteen-year-olds may purchase lottery tickets at lottery retailers or online, participate in charitable gambling, which includes pull tabs, bingo games, raffles, and scratch-off type raffles, and wager against other players on horse races either at a live track or simulcasted at off-track betting locations.

Eighteen-and-up players are allowed to gamble on instant races, otherwise known as historical horse racing machines that offer exotic wagers instead of pari-mutuel wagering as traditionally done for live races. While there are no casinos or poker rooms in the Bluegrass State, players may access casino games and play poker through legal resources such as licensed offshore online 18+ casinos.

Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Kentucky?

Yes. No laws within Kentucky specifically outlaw legal international online casinos but target illegal Kentucky-based or US-based gaming sites. State-based gaming destinations must be regulated at the state level to be legal. For instance, Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey all have their own regulated online gaming platforms for their state players.

The online gaming crackdown of 2008 in KY was triggered by unregulated gaming sites operating on US soil. We recommend you stay far away from any type of illegitimate casino sites that attempt to offer services to KY. We recommend the licensed and regulated offshore internet gaming destinations that are legally acceptable to gamble at; we even provide a list of reliable online casinos that KY players aged eighteen or older can enjoy without violating any state or federal gambling laws.

What Kentucky Casinos Are 18 and Up?

There are no land-based casinos in Kentucky that allow 18-year-olds to gamble. This is because casinos are considered illegal in Kentucky. However, KY players who are 18 can play online at offshore 18+ casinos without the worry of violating state or federal laws.

Bluegrass State players 18 and older may gamble for real money on casino games hosted by the online brands we provide below. Enjoy poker, sports betting, table games, specialty games, and slot options offered by these legal offshore gaming destinations. Our group of leading gaming analysts and specialists has personally verified these recommended brands for legality, quality, and security.

Available Brick And Mortar Locations For Legal Gambling In Kentucky

1. Churchill Downs
2. Turfway Park
3. Kentucky Downs
4. Keeneland Grounds
5. Red Mile
6. Bluegrass Downs
7. Ellis Park Racing
8. Thunder Ridge
9. Bingo Fantastic
10. Corbin Bingo Parlor
11. Tiny Town Bingo
12. Kentucky State Line Bingo
13. Greenwood Bingo Hall
14. Rainbow Bingo

Brief History Of Kentucky’s Gambling Laws

Present-day Kentucky was once a popular hunting ground for tribes like the Cherokee and Shawnee, in fact, tribes often battled for the usage of the land as it was plentiful with wildlife and food. After European explorers began surveying and dividing the land, native tribes fought against them during the French and Indian War.

After the war ended, parties were able to fully explore the land. Kentucky or at least part of the region was purchased through the Jackson Purchase. This led to its eventual statehood and the settlement of the land by East coast civilians and European immigrants.

It is assumed that Kentucky’s love affair with horses began as soon as settlers from Maryland and Virginia migrated westward. Oftentimes, wealthy Virginians would import their large horses from Britain, these types of breeds would later become the standard for racing horses. By 1880, 92% of all taxpayers owned at least one horse. The average number of horses owned by a single family was 3.2. All the while, horse racing became ever more popular.

In 1750-1751, a surveying party led by Dr. Thomas Walker and Christopher Gist came to Kentucky. Exploration and expeditions would be delayed for 10 years until wars between the native tribes and the British and French European explorers settled.

In 1767, an expedition was led by Daniel Boone.

In the 1770s, a wealthy Virginia settler named William Whitley came to build his home in KY. This settler built the first ever racetrack in the region beside his estate.

By 1774, the first permanent settlement was built in KY by James Harrod. This would be called Fort Harrod which is located at present-day Harrodsburg.

In 1787, wide-scale or attraction-based horse racing in KY began.

In 1792, KY was granted its statehood.

By the 1800s, KY’s constitution was written with heavy anti-gambling statutes as a way to curb lotteries which were often corrupt.

In 1809, a Kentucky Jockey Club began. Showing the popularity of the sport.

In 1875, the Kentucky Derby had its first run.

In 1891, KY banned all forms of gambling (specifically games of chance) with exception to sports wagering on horse racing.

By 1931, pari-mutuel betting had not taken off until it was pressured by anti-gambling groups to be banned. After legal battles in court, the high courts ruled that pari-mutuel betting was legal due to the skill required to play.

In 1988, the Lottery Act allowed KY to establish its own state-run lottery.

In 1989, the first lottery was drawn.

By 1992, KY legalized charitable gambling.

In 2008, over 140 domain names ending with .com were categorized as gambling devices and seized by the state. It is assumed that because of the .com domain location, they were based within the US or Kentucky, thus making them illegal as they have no legitimate state or federal oversight and regulation.

In 2010, KY modified its definition of horse racing gambling to allow instant racing, otherwise known as historical racing machines. It was this same year that KY rejected a proposal to legalize casino gambling.

In 2011, after KY allowed for instant racing. Kentucky Downs installed the instant racing machines at their track.

In 2012, Ellis Park did the same and installed historic racing machines on their track. Casino gambling was once again proposed but rejected by KY’s Senate.

By 2014, anti-gambling groups tried to state that instant racing machines were just slots and took an appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court. The courts ruled that this was not the case and that the Kentucky Racing Commission had the authority to install instant racing games.

In 2015, Red Mile opened a historical racing machine parlor on their track location.

18+ Online Casinos For Kentucky Residents

Kentucky players can easily register to play on legal offshore gaming sites where they can access a wider range of games than those found within the Bluegrass State. Players aged eighteen and older can legally gamble real money on various casino games, from specialty games like keno, and bingo, to table games, slots, and even dice games such as craps and roulette. KY players are not restricted from the types of gaming available to them and have full access to features like poker and sports betting.

FAQs

Helpful Resources For Gamblers In Kentucky

• Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling 
• KY Gambling Help