Although multiple public opinion polls back widespread support, Kentucky remains one of the more than a dozen states that have not legalized gambling. However, according to Robert Blizzard of Public Opinion Strategies, a Republican pollster, there’s strong support across party lines to approve sports betting. In the survey, 65% of the voters back the move, unchanged from 2022. In addition, around 48% of the residents mention they have wagered on sports. One reason for the strong support is the estimated annual tax revenue of at least $22 million that may fund the state.
Kentucky’s gambling laws only allow some forms of betting on horse racing, particularly the pari-mutuel advance deposit wagering on Twin Spires and TVG. These websites enable betting on famous races, including the Belmont Stakes, Breeders Cup, and the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Lottery is also permitted, with the proceeds funding the KEES Scholarship program. Currently, there are no fully-operational physical casinos in the state, and only charitable games are allowed.
Updated Legal Status of Gambling in Kentucky
Betting on horse races and lottery games are currently permitted only forms of gambling. But a bill filed last March 2022 can change the industry.
House Bill 606 from Representative Adam Koenig, filed last March 2022, aims to legalize sports betting in the state, along with a bill that bans ‘gray machines’ or slots-like games. According to Koenig, locals are already wagering $2 billion annually on sports, and the bill can help set up a revenue stream for the state’s public pension system. The Bill is now in the Senate after the House voted 58-30.
Legality of Crypto Gambling in Kentucky
Like gambling, there’s also an increasing state’s interest in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. These digital currencies have several use cases, one of which is for online gambling.
Several offshore licensed casinos have recently begun accepting Bitcoin and other cryptos payments. Unlike traditional payment methods like bank transfers and credit cards, Bitcoin promises faster and more anonymous transactions. These digital currencies are decentralized and run on the blockchain, the backbone of crypto technology. It helps maintain a secure and decentralized record of transactions, thus promoting faster and transparent transactions. Also, payments in Bitcoin and altcoins are way cheaper since there’s no third party involved. As such, many casino players now consider Bitcoin for gambling. This interest also extends to crypto mining. Kentucky ranks second to New York regarding the hash rate as of 2021. However, like online gambling, crypto gambling remains unregulated and a ‘grey market’. An option for locals is to register at offshore licensed online casinos, which accept US wagers.
Top Crypto Casinos in Kentucky
There are dozens of offshore licensed casinos that now accept US bets. On this page, we review the top crypto casinos in terms of games, available bonuses, and overall customer support.
FortuneJack
FortuneJack is a top-notch crypto casino with an impressive game catalog and rewarding bonuses. New players can choose from two signup bonuses: the 6 BTC Welcome Bonus or the 20% Unlimited Cashback. In addition, VIP Club members can use its VIP BankBack Bonus that activates the extra 5% cashback.
Bitcoin Penguin
Bitcoin Penguin Casino positions itself as a fun and reliable crypto gambling destination. This operator offers a promising signup bonus on the first two deposits. On the first deposit, BitcoinPenguin doubles your money up to 0.20 BTC with 30 free spins. And on the second deposit, there’s a bonus of up to 0.25 BTC with 25 free spins. Bitcoin Penguin’s game selection is also worth checking out. In this section, players can try out its online slots, table games, roulette, and video poker. Payments are possible through popular cryptos like Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin.
BetCoin.ag
BetCoin.ag is a premium full-service crypto casino for US bettors. The website offers a casino and sportsbook and accepts payments in Bitcoin, BTC Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. BetCoin.ag provides one of the fastest transactions in the business, with just one confirmation required to complete a deposit or withdrawal. In addition to its impressive cashier services, this casino boasts over 1,000 games, including slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and video poker. There’s also a section for its live casino games and provably-fair titles.
