Best Real Money Online Casinos in Kentucky 2023 – Legal & Trusted KY Casino Sites

Throughout this article, we will be looking at the best online casinos in Kentucky. Not only will we guide you in which online casinos are best for you, but we’re also going to look at the most recent legislation and determine if gambling is legal in Kentucky?

Best Kentucky Online Casinos List 2023

Below you’ll find our list of the best online casinos in Kentucky. One of the areas that we pride ourselves in when it comes to reviews is that each casino is researched with a strong link to residents of Kentucky and the games they like to play.

1. Las Atlantis – Best overall for casino games and a huge $14,000 welcome bonus
2. Wild Casino – Good looking online casino with a strong range of games
3. Bovada – Average RTP of 97.8% is the highest that we have tested
4. MyBookie Casino – 150% deposit match and fast withdrawal times
5. BetOnline – Biggest casino game range of 490+
6. Super Slots – Big welcome offer and superb player promos
7. El Royale – Best new Kentucky online casino
8. BUSR –  Best for blackjack and roulette games
9. BetUS – Superb welcome offer and a wide range of casino games
10. Big Spin – Top Kentucky casino for slots

Best Kentucky Online Casinos Reviewed

1. Las Atlantis – Best Kentucky Online Casino for Real Money

Las Atlantis is our top-rated real money online casino in Kentucky for 2023. This casino stands out for its enormous game offer. It has nearly 250 slots, plus dozens of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and video poker games. While there aren’t any live dealer tables at Las Atlantis, the selection and quality of virtual games more than makeup for this.

Another thing we love about Las Atlantis is its generous welcome bonus for new players. You can earn 40 free spins on the popular 5 Wishes slot game, plus up to $14,000 through a deposit match. The match is 260%, so the casino more than doubles your initial deposit.

Las Atlantis offers customer support by email and live chat 24/7, so it’s easy to get in touch if you need help navigating the casino. The casino also takes security seriously, which is extremely important. All accounts at Las Atlantis are protected with 256-bit encryption.

 

2. Wild Casino – Good Looking Kentucky Casino with a Strong Range of Games

Wild Casino has only been about since 2017 but in that time have created an intelligent online casino platform. The casino is part of the BetOnline and Sportsbetting.ag group, both of which we rank as two of the best betting sites in Kentucky.

The casino comes with almost 300 games to choose from, with slots making up over 80% of the catalogue. This ties in with the land-based casino model in Kentucky where slots are the prominent game. They use the Betsoft platforms as their main game developer, but it’s the inclusion of a lesser-known developer in Nucleus that caught our eye.

Given that Nucleus only works with a handful of online casinos, it means that you’re getting access to exclusive games. Slots such as Freaky Frankenstein, Reels of Treasure and Diamond Strip are the pick of the bunch, each with high RTP’s and medium-high volatility in terms of gameplay. It’s worth noting table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, baccarat, and a host of live casino games can all be accessed.

Payment method options are excellent. These include Visa, Mastercard, Bank Wire, Money Orders, and a range of crypto payments, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Withdrawals start from just $20 and payments back to crypto are processed within 48 hours, with a check and bank transfers taking up to 10 days.

The promotions section is a highlight reel of its own at Wild Casino. The first is that of the welcome bonus, which for players in Kentucky, is worth up to $5,000. It’s a 100% match up to $1,000 on your first 5 deposits at the casino. The bonus can be claimed by deposits as low as $20 and need to be wagered 35x in 30 days before it can be withdrawn.

If you ever manage to worth through the incredible welcome offer then promos such as the $9,000 Crypto Deposit Bonus, 5% Bitcoin Boost, 10% Weekly Cash Rebate, Game of the Week, VIP Reload (50% up to $500 every Sunday) and weekly slots tournaments will keep you going.

 

3. Bovada Casino – High Average RTP of 97.8%

Bovada Casino has been online since 2011 in its current form but has derived from the Bodog brand to serve within the US marketplace and for states such as Kentucky. The casino is up there as one of the best on our list and its design is one of the only ones to rival that of BetUS Casino.

Whilst it’s not a case of style over substance, the range of just 157 casino games is the smallest on our list. They use providers that include Real Time Gaming, Betsoft, and Rival Gaming, so it’s a strange decision to not include more games in their overall package given the options that they have from each.

The live dealer games are a standout feature for us and with it come 20+ games to choose from. Blackjack and roulette stand out, with multiple variations of each, as well as Baccarat and Super 6. The quality of the streams, location, and dealers make it feel like you’re playing in the Kentucky Downs Gaming Hall.

Banking options for players in Kentucky are excellent, with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and MatchPay all on offer. The inclusion of MatchPay is one of the most exciting as this allows you to both deposit and withdraw using PayPal, making it the only casino on the list to include this.

It’s worth noting that fees will be applied with deposits using credit cards. Fees range but can be as high as 15.9%. You may also be charged a 3% currency conversion fee for accounts that aren’t in USD.

Game RTP is one of the highlights for Bovada and at an average of 97.8% throughout the casino, they better all the above apart from Wild Casino. The limited range of casino games likely has been selected based on RTP given these numbers.

The welcome bonus is very similar to BetOnline in that, you get three 100% deposit matches worth up to $1,000 each. However, the bonus works out better value as it comes with just 25x turnover applied to each. You can increase this bonus even further to $3,750 if you deposit using Bitcoin. Again, you get matched on your first three deposits, but it’s a 125% match, which is better value.

 

4. MyBookie Casino – Largest Range of Kentucky Payment Methods

MyBookie Casino utilizes the Betsoft platform to power the games section and it includes over 200 titles to choose from. This makes it smaller in terms of size compared to Wild Casino, but they have a much more balanced ratio of slots to table games, with the latter being one of the strongest sections we’ve tested at any casino.

The banking options at MyBookie Casino are decent, without ever being amazing. Visa, Mastercard ACH, Bank Wire, and several crypto payments are all accessible for Kentucky players. Deposits start from $20, which is decent, but for the likes of ACH and Bank Wire, there is no maximum, which is ideal for high rollers.

Withdrawals start from $100, which is high, and are capped at $2,000 per week. However, there are no fees, and processing times are within 48 hours, with funds in the account in 2 to 7 days.

The mobile casino for MyBookie takes around 60% of the games from the online platform. It’s been designed with HTML 5 meaning that you get access directly from your smartphone’s browser.

One of MyBookie Casino’s many strengths is that of the bonus section and they go head-to-head with Wild Casino here. The $750 welcome bonus is a massive 150% match of your opening deposit, however, this comes with a 40x turnover requirement which is on the high side.

Other offers at the casino include weekday reload bonuses (up to $1,000), free spins on Wednesday, dedicated weekend bonuses, and rebates on all games on a Monday.

 

5. BetOnline Casino – Huge Range of Casino Games (490+)

Online since 2001, BetOnline is widely regarded as one of the biggest and best gambling platforms in the industry. The casino plays a major role in this package and as a result, we’ve ranked it one of the best for players in Kentucky.

There are four game providers currently being used by BetOnline, which are Betsoft, Nucleus Gaming, Concept Gaming, and Dragon Gaming. This is the most by any of the casinos that we’ve tested and as a result, they have the biggest game catalog, with 491 games all accessible online.

The casino allows you to quickly sort between the plethora of games once logged in and a good number have demo play options. The games are stacked heavily toward that of slots, with over 280 to choose from, but table games are well represented as well.

Banking is one of the highlights of the casino for us and deposits start from just $20 for Bitcoin and $25 for all other transactions. The inclusion of both Skrill and Neteller are standout options, but others include Check, Money Order, Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, Bank Transfer, and Wire Transfer. There are no fees applied and payment back to e-wallets takes just 2 hours.

Table limits throughout the casino depend on the game and the bet type, but they are higher than most.

The welcome bonus is worth up to $3,000 and is a 100% match on your first three deposits ($1,000 max bonus for each deposit) of $25 or more. Turnover of 30x is applied to each bonus and you need to clear the full amount within 30 days before it expires.

 

6. Super Slots – Best New Real Money Kentucky Online Casino

Super Slots has a robust library of over 200 digital and live dealer casino games. It is one of the best new real money online casinos Kentucky has to offer.

Players Super Slots can enjoy games from some of the industry’s best developers like Betsoft, Visionary iGaming, Rival Gaming, and more. The selection of table games, video poker, slots, and live casino games is among the most robust available in the state.

Super Slots’s game selection does not disappoint either. With top industry developers, you’ll get the action for real money on various slot machines, classic casino table games, a variety of specialty games, and more.

With over twenty blackjack variations, the blackjack section is without a doubt the site’s feature. Single Deck Blackjack, Blackjack VIP, Pirate 21, the Super 7, and more options are available. You can also participate in regular blackjack competitions. 14 roulette games, 12 different types of poker, and 4 baccarat games make up the rest of the real money online casino’s gaming selection.

The variety of Super Slots bonus codes available is also worthy of note. With a top-notch crypto welcome bonus, this online casino stands out as one of the best real money online casinos in Kentucky. Then, where the banking is concerned, in addition to 17 cryptocurrencies, you can also make deposits and withdrawals with well-known fiat banking options like bank transfer, debit/credit card, and more.

 

Discover Our In-Depth Casino Reviews and Get the Best Casino Bonus Codes:

 

More on gambling in Kentucky…

Learn about all types of online gambling in Kentucky in our expert guides below:

• Kentucky Sports Betting
• Kentucky Online Poker
• Kentucky Online Gambling
• Kentucky Sports Betting Apps
• Kentucky Horse Racing
• Louisville Online Casinos

 

Top Real Money Online Casino Kentucky Sites Comparison

With each review, we’ve taken the time to include all the information that you need to pick the right casino for you. The table below will give you an overview of what you can expect from the top real money Kentucky online casinos.

Key Things You Need to Know

• Online casino gambling is not legal in Kentucky. You can play on offshore casino sites, as they fall within a legal grey area across the US.
• Sports betting has been legalized in Kentucky. This is likely to be a stepping stone towards the legalization of KY online casinos.
• You must be over the age of 18 to take part in any forms of gambling in Kentucky. This includes signing up to offshore casino sites.

Kentucky Online Casino Banking Options

Banking options would not have been an important consideration decades ago, but in 2023, they are a crucial determinate of the success of an online casino site. Players should now be able to deposit and withdraw in several ways to suit their gaming experience.

Traditional Payment Methods

Traditional payment methods, such as debit card or bank wire transfers, are still the most common forms of payment on online casino platforms. However, while they ensure you do not have to change from using USD at any point, your payouts from withdrawals tend to take up to a week, longer than any other form of currency. Moreover, your bonuses will not be as substantial either,

Cryptocurrencies

While the likes of Bitcoin and Litecoin are now very commonly accepted on online casino sites in Kentucky, it is always positive to see a site host a wide range of cryptocurrencies for their variety of players.

e-Wallets

e-Wallets enable players to use traditional currencies, but more quickly and securely. You will be able to receive your payouts much quicker than if you choose to withdraw straight to your bank account or debit card.

What Games Can You Play at Kentucky Online Casinos?

You’ve got a massive range of games to choose from within all these online Kentucky Casinos, but the range does differ. In terms of the volume of games, BetOnline and BetUS are the biggest with over 400 games each. It’s not always a case that the more is better, but there is no doubt getting access to more games simply creates more options.

Slots

In terms of slots, BetOnline has the biggest and best range that we’ve seen. Over 300 of their games are slots and as they use the likes of Concept Gaming and Dragon Gaming, they offer games that no other casino can. Standout slots include the likes of Spinfinity Man, Gold Canyon and Joker Inferno.

Blackjack

Table limits are strong amongst all five of our top picks. However, BetOnline comes out on top again, with most games being as low as $1 and maxing out at $250. Blackjack is the exception here where you can bet up to $500 per hand. Both Bovada and Wild Casino have very similar structures.

Blackjack is well represented throughout, but BetUS has the best range with 34 game types to choose from. These include multi-hand, single deck, American, Pirate 21, Super 7, European, and Classic, to name just a few.

Other Table Games

BetUS rule the roost when it comes to depth of table games, with 24 video poker, 15 live dealer and 9 Keno/Bingo games to choose from. Both Bovada and Wild Casino have more than credible table games sections as well.

Discover More With Our Selection of Casino Guides

Playing Live Dealer Games at Kentucky Online Casinos

Live dealer games are some of the best that you’re going to find. The lack of dedicated land-based casinos in Kentucky means that online live dealer options are going to be incredibly popular.

Given that a lot of the casinos use similar game developers, the difference between the top five isn’t massive, but some are better than others. The table below highlights who is offering what for Kentucky-based casino players.

Explore Our Casino Game Guides:

What Casino Bonuses Will Come to Kentucky?

Kentucky online casino bonuses will take the form of those which are currently available at offshore casino sites. These take the following formats.

No Deposit Bonus

A no deposit bonus can arrive at any time while you have an online casino account. The only thing you need to do to claim this bonus is to opt in and the funds will be credited to your account to use anywhere you like across the casino.

Match Deposit Bonus

Traditionally the type of bonus you get as a welcome to an online casino, your first deposit will be matched by a specific percentage up to a maximum limit. This would look something like: 100% up to $1,000.

Free Spins

By definition, free spins must only be used on slots games. Often, they will have to be used on a specific game, though with free spins, your winnings can be as great as they would be with your own funds.

Kentucky Online Gambling Apps

As online gambling is not legal yet within Kentucky, players must turn to offshore casino sites in order to play their favorite games online. These sites were all initially created for desktop, however, all of them have mobile-optimized versions which you can access from your smartphone’s browser.

As yet, none of these sites have created apps available for download from either the App Store or Google Play. However, this is definitely subject to change at any time. Similarly, the mobile versions of each online casino site we recommend contain all of the games and benefits of the desktop version, so you will not be missing out at all.

How to Play at a Kentucky Casino

Creating an account and playing online casino games in Kentucky is a very simple process. It should take just minutes to get started. We’ve created a step-by-step guide below on how to open an account with Wild Casino and place your first bet in the casino.

Step 1 – “Join Now”

Click here to go to the Wild Casino registration zone. This will take you through to the account registration process.

Step 2 – Enter Personal Details

A page will pop up and from there you need to enter all the fields to create your account. These include name, email address, the password for your account, state, postal code, phone number and date of birth.

Once each field is filled in, click on the “create account” button at the bottom.

Step 3 – First Deposit and Bonus Claim

Once your account has been set up you will automatically be logged in. You will then be prompted to make your first deposit. Simply choose one of the options that best suits you.

At this point, you can also claim your welcome bonus. Simply opt-in to the bonus when prompted as you make your first payment.

Step 4 – Choose Your Game

Once you have funded your account you can now head back to the casino and choose the game you want to play. Use the menu bar at the top of the page to navigate to the game types that you like and then simply click on that game.

Step 5 – Place Your Bets

Once your game has been picked, click on the stake within the game to play. You can cycle between amounts as you please, starting with low to high table limits as you need.

Is Gambling in Kentucky Allowed? The Legality of Gambling in Kentucky

Only limited gambling opportunities are available in Kentucky. In terms of betting, only horse racing betting is allowed within one of several horse racing tracks throughout the state. There are no land-based casinos at all, however, there are casino games that are hosted within racetracks and off-track establishments.

Online Casinos Guides State by State

Is Online Gambling in Kentucky Legal?

There is no legislation in place that states that online gambling in Kentucky is illegal. Residents of Kentucky can access offshore gambling sites, such as the ones that we have outlined in this article.

Legal Gambling Age in Kentucky

To gamble in any form in Kentucky, including on offshore casino sites, you must be at least 21 years of age. If you are below 21, you cannot gamble or you will be breaking the law.

Taxes on Gambling Winnings in Kentucky

All earnings from gambling winnings should be declared in the US. The federal rate of tax on such winnings is 24%, which may be withheld by your casino site itself, or you will have to declare these once you have withdrawn them from an offshore casino account.

Future of Online Casinos in Kentucky

Sports betting, both in retail stores, and online, is coming to Kentucky in September 2023. This is a big positive and a potential breakthrough for the future of online casino gambling in the state.

Sports betting is always pushed for first when it comes to forms of gambling both on and offline. As this has now been legalized, the logical next step is for casino gaming to follow suit. While this will not come until 2024 at the earliest, there is every chance bills seeking to pass online casino sites in Kentucky could be raised next year.

History of Gambling in Kentucky

Kentucky is a state that doesn’t have a massive history when it comes to gambling. There are very few opportunities to gamble within the state and the fact of the matter is that there has never been a massive call to change this.

Sports betting in the state is big and there are huge followings for the likes of college basketball and football. However, it’s horse racing that dominates here, with the likes of the Kentucky Derby being the highlight of the year.

Below we’ve included a timeline of gambling within the state of Kentucky.

• 1875 – The first running of the Kentucky Derby. This is the highlight of the year even now for Kentucky residents and the first running of the Kentucky Derby is often linked to a time when gambling within the state started to take off.
• 1920 – Pari-mutuel betting allowed in the state at racetracks
• 1931 – The first challenge to stopping horse racing betting in the state. This was thrown out, but at the time it was claimed that it should be banned under the same legislation that currently banned lotteries.
• 1988 – Lottery was formally passed in the state and then run the following year for the first time. At the time, Kentucky was one of just a handful of states that were not running their own lottery, highlighting just how against any form of gambling the state was.
• 1992 – Bingo games and special events were legalized for the first time under the new Charitable Gaming regulations. This also allowed home games up to a certain limit to be played.
• 2008 – Over 140 domain names were seized by the state all in relation to online poker. This is part of a wider crackdown on unlicensed online poker rooms throughout the US.
• 2011 – Failure to pass a bill to license slot games within the state. This is the first attempt for many years to try and open Kentucky to the broader picture of gambling, albeit met with failure.
• 2016 – Sen. Julie Raque Adams and Sen/ Morgan McGarvey fail in an attempt to pass a bill to allow land-based casinos in the state. Strong opposition from the local racing industry.

Kentucky Gambling Revenues

Kentucky generates around $300 million per year from gambling. This is largely made up of lotteries and HHR (Historic Horse Racing) machines, plus revenue from video gaming machines located in non-casino locations. It’s estimated that their current ban on gambling within the state restricts over $1.7 billion in economic activity each year.

Land Casinos in Kentucky: Kentucky Casino Locations

Kentucky does not have any land-based casinos within the state. This includes state-run and tribal.

They do however have several racetracks with some including casino games. These are listed below:

Derby City Gaming – 1,000 Casino Games

Derby City Gaming is in Louisville, Kentucky. The site plays host to over 1,000 casino games and is a part of the Churchill Downs Corporation. The racetrack has been open for over 140 years and hosts what is widely regarded as the pinnacle sporting event within the state, the Kentucky Derby.

Ellis Park – 300+ Slots and 179 Instant Racing Machines

Ellis Park is another famous racetrack, this time located in Henderson, Kentucky. It includes over 300 slots as well as 179 instant racing machines.

Kentucky Downs – 1,000+ Gaming Machines

Kentucky Downs is home to more than 1,000 gaming machines in their location just 30 minutes from Nashville. “The Mint” Gaming Hall, as it’s more formally known, is regarded as one of the best in the state and includes hundreds of jackpot and bingo games as well.

Red Mile – 900 Interactive Games

The Red Mile Racetrack is in Lexington and hosts over 900 games. They run a series of tournaments and competitions for its members and discounts for local businesses with their Community Perks Program.

Land Based Casinos v Online Casinos in Kentucky

Gambling online for casino games in Kentucky is massively advantageous. The fact that there are no dedicated land-based casinos detracts from the casino experience and even though there are a handful of racetracks that provide casino games of sorts, they can’t compete with online.

The online coverage is massive, and we’ve already highlighted the range of games that you can access with Kentucky online casinos. Games that are accessible within the racetracks are either slots or historic racing machines.

Compare this to online where you get dozens of table games like blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and several formats of video poker. You even get live casino games to recreate the land-based casino from the comfort of your own home.

Table limits and banking options are excellent for Kentucky residents. Minimum bets start from just $1, with deposits from just $10 with some casinos. Land-based slots, even in the racetracks, can be as high as $10 a spin, which is massive when compared with online slots.

Conclusion: Best Real Money Online Casino Kentucky

Gambling in Kentucky is not as black and white as we would like it to be. To round it up, you can bet on horse racing, you get access to casino games at a handful of racetracks in the state, gambling online is banned apart from access to offshore casinos and it doesn’t look like legislation is changing any time soon.

If you’re looking for a safe, secure, legal, and well-stocked online casino in Kentucky, our pick would be Las Atlantis Casino. They have a strong range of games, great banking options, are fully licensed, and are mobile accessible, creating the complete package.

Gambling Responsibly in Kentucky

Responsible gambling is in the public eye more than ever before. With a rise in players getting addicted to online gambling, it is important to stay within your limits; this will ensure casino gaming is always fun and you can cope much more easily with any losses.

However, if you find that gambling is getting on top of you, there are some pages online you can go to for help. It is important to differentiate between the main two though, as they are very similar:

Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling

National Council on Problem Gambling Kentucky

FAQs

What is the best online casino in Kentucky?

The best online casino in Kentucky is Wild Casino. They stock over 300 games and have live dealer casino games and a massive $5,000 welcome bonus.

Are online casinos legal in Kentucky?

Online casinos are not legal in Kentucky. This means that they cannot be based here. However, it’s not illegal for residents in Kentucky to play online casinos that are located offshore.

How do I stay safe playing casino games online in Kentucky?

The best thing to do is make sure that you are playing at a reputable, fully licensed online casino. We include a range of options on this page that are all 100% safe and secure.

Can I win real money at online casinos in Kentucky?

Yes, online casinos allow you to deposit real money and win real money at the casino.

Will I face trouble for playing at online casinos in Kentucky?

No, there are no laws in place to prosecute players that are playing offshore online casinos in the state of Kentucky. No players have ever been prosecuted for playing online casinos in Kentucky.

Are online casinos in Kentucky safe?

As long as the online casino in Kentucky is fully licensed, then the casino will be regulated and in turn, safe to use.