Kentucky still doesn’t have any online poker legislation in place. However, changes have been discussed and there could be progress made in the next couple of years.
| Type/Code | Summary |
|---|---|
| State Code Section(s) | XIX.230; XIX.238; L.528 |
| Definition of Gambling & Player | Gambling: 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.Player: 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. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | Legalized online poker or casino games is unlikely to be available in Kentucky due to past actions by Governor Steve Beshear. In 2008, he obtained court permission to seize more than 140 gambling-related domains, including PokerStars and Bodog, due to their alleged infringement upon the state’s gambling revenue from horse racing/betting. Most cases have since been settled, but the racing industry is dominant in Kentucky and unlikely to agree to allow legislators to vote on any type of legalized online gaming. |
| Live Poker | There are no live poker rooms in Kentucky. |
| Casinos | Kentucky offers no casinos of any kind for gambling in the state. |
| Sports Betting | Lawmakers are considering bills in both houses to legalize sports betting since the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in May 2018. |
| DFS | A Kentucky House bill was introduced in 2018 to legalize daily fantasy sports, but it did not pass. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Horse racing, pari-mutuel betting, lottery, charitable gaming. |