By Jane Shaw
Editor at Casinos.US
Updated: January 16, 2024
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she's our gambling tech expert. Jane's also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Indian casinos refer to gambling establishments that are built on native land, and such entities are regulated by the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. While there are 501 Indian gaming operations currently active in the US (which contribute around 43% of the nation’s total casino revenue), none of these are currently based in Kentucky, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t wager freely in the state!
As something of a spiritual home for horse racing, it should come as no surprise that Kentucky is home to a superb racino in the city of Franklin. Unlike the other Kentucky casino, this site offers access to live race events and sports bets, and a genuinely immersive gambling experience!
In essence, riverboat or cruise ship casinos are gambling establishments that operate on the open waves, and there are 63 such entities currently active in the US. However, these are confined to just six states, with Kentucky not listed amongst this number. So, you’ll have to make do with visiting either KY’s sole commercial casino or Franklin-based racino.
While there are a limited number of land-based casinos in Kentucky, it’s important to understand where each one is located in relation to the other. So, here’s further details on the state’s gambling locations and the distance that exists between them.
| All Casinos in Louisville | ||||
| Derby City Gaming | 4520 Poplar Level Rd, Louisville, 40213 | |||
| The Mint Gaming Hall | 5629 Nashville Rd, Franklin, 42134 | |||
The Kentucky Downs racetrack is embarking on an expansion project that will eventually open up a 30,000-square foot venue in which patrons can play Historic Horse Racing games. Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel is expected to open in September 2020.
| Kentucky Gambling Topics | Gambling Facts for Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Number of Casinos | 2 |
| Casino Types | Commercial, Racino |
| Casino Games Offered | Slots, Harness and Horse Racing (at Kentucky Downs), Bingo, Poker, |
| Age | 21+ to bet with cash, |
| Smoking | Yes/No*, *Smoking inside is prohibited but there are external smoking areas in each Kentucky casino |
| Drinking | Yes/No*, *Drinking while playing is allowed, but no free alcoholic drinks are served |
| Opening Hours |
24/7
,
Some casinos are closed on Easter and Christmas. Check the brands pages for more info
|
| Betting Limit | N/A (Kentucky Downs has a minimum bet limit of $0.01) |
| Taxation of Winnings | Yes/No, for additional details click here |
While there are a limited number of casino games available in Kentucky, numerous slots are accessible to gamblers. However, if you want a larger selection of games, then you can always travel out of state to one of the great land-based casinos in neighboring states. Here’s a breakdown of precisely what to expect in Kentucky:
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Additional DetailsThere are various types of bet available at Kentucky Downs, including Win, Place, Show and Superfecta wagers
Like all states, any winnings earned while gambling in Kentucky will be subject to a flat Federal rate tax of 24%. For winnings that exceed the value of $5,000, a state tax rate of 6% will be added, creating a total liability of 30% overall.
The opening of full casinos remains prohibited in Kentucky, but state laws have been relaxed to allow for electronic competition-based slots
Allows horse running, trotting, pacing and harness races wagering. Pari-mutuel betting only is permitted
Charitable gaming is allowed in the form of licensed bingo games, raffles and scratch cards.
Interestingly, the entire constitution of Kentucky was deliberately worded to prevent the crude and corrupt lotteries of the 1800s. It has proved difficult for the state to overcome this prohibitive legislation over the years, creating a scenario where only a select few forms of gambling are now accessible to modern-day players.
The Kentucky Downs racino in Franklin first opened in 1990, while the state’s first commercial gambling hub began trading on September 14th, 2018.
1875-1988 Of course, the state remains synonymous with horse racing, and has done ever since the old Churchill Downs site opened its doors in 1875 (this site continues to host the famous Kentucky Derby each and every year). Over the course of the next 50 years, pari-mutuel betting became incredibly popular statewide, but it was not until the 1980s when gambling regulations were extended beyond this type of wagering.
1988 – 2008 1988 finally saw the state’s Lottery Act passed, while the iconic Kentucky Downs racino (which contains a racecourse and various types of event with slot gaming) first opened its doors on April 22nd, 1990. Less than two years later, legislation was passed to allow for charitable gaming, including the use of selected bingo games, raffles and scratch cards for good causes.
2008 – present Further proposed legislative changes have been slow to take hold since the turn of the century, with 2008 seeing more than 140 domain names seized by the government having been decried as gambling devices. While 2019 and 2020 also saw failed attempts to legalise online gambling in Kentucky, the state’s first non-racino facility was opened for business in September 2018 and has become incredibly popular in the region.
As we’ve already touched on, the last 24 months have seen two failed online gambling bills in the state of Kentucky, and it seems unlikely that even revised legislation would pass the senate in 2021. However, work has already started to expand the Kentucky Downs racino, creating a 30,000 sq. Ft venue that features recently installed historic horse racing games.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at your accommodation options when visiting either of Kentucky’s two casino resorts.
We’ll also take a brief look at some of the best casino trips and packages on offer, with a keen focus on achieving genuine value for your hard-earned cash.
Neither the Derby City casino or the Kentucky Downs racino boast accommodation, so you’ll need to stay elsewhere during your visit. In terms of the former, the Surestay Plus by Best Western in Louisville offers a high quality and convenient stay, as it’s located just 1.1-miles from the Derby City casino.
When visiting the Kentucky Downs racino, the nearby Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Franklin (which is 12.3-miles away) offers excellent value for money. This 2-star resort rents rooms for an average price of $88 per night, although you can usually strike deals that are slightly cheaper than this.
| Number of Rooms | 97 |
|---|---|
| Price Range ($) | 80 |
| Special Packages | "Pool", "Free WiFi", "Parking" |
| Additional Services | Pet friendly hotel |
| Number of Rooms | 75 |
|---|---|
| Price Range ($) | 85 |
| Special Packages | "Fitness center", "Indoor pool", "Spa tub" |
| Additional Services | Free self parking |
| Capital | Frankfort |
|---|---|
| Largest Cities | Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green |
| Size | 104,659 km² |
| Population | 4.468 million |
| Time Zone | GMT -4 |
| Abbreviation | KY |