Casinos in Kentucky
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There is no form of traditional casino gambling in the state of Kentucky. Instead, some Kentucky gaming locations offer instant racing betting machines. These machines resemble regular slot machines, but are actually gaming machines that give results based on past horse races.
Shown below is a list of the Kentucky casinos that offer instant racing betting machines. Click on a name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.
Want to See a Map of all casinos in Kentucky?
Visit our Kentucky casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.
Gambling in Kentucky
The most common form of gambling found in Kentucky is pari-mutuel betting on thoroughbred horse racing, this can be found at the 10 racetracks located throughout the state.
Kentucky is home to the world famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby. This race is held annually and has been run since 1875. The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs on the first Sunday in May. The Derby is held in Kentucky’s largest city, Louisville. Each year a festival is held in town for two weeks before the race.
Types of Casinos in Kentucky
There are not any traditional casinos in Kentucky, which is also known as the “Bluegrass State.” That nickname is a reference to an “ideal” type of grass that can be found in some of the major pastures around the state due to the area’s fertile soil.
Some of Kentucky’s racetrack casinos offer instant racing betting machines, which resemble regular slot machines, but are actually gaming machines that give results based on past horse races. The machines spinning reels are for entertainment purposes only.
Slot Machine Payback Percentages at Kentucky Casinos
No public information is available regarding what instant racing machines pay back to the public in Kentucky. In many states, however, the slot machine payback statistics for that particular state’s casinos are released as a matter of public record. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for casinos in all U.S. states.
Types of Gambling Offered at Kentucky Casinos
Kentucky’s instant racing machines are the only type of gambling allowed in the state. There are no table games offered at any of the casinos in Kentucky. The minimum gambling age at Kentucky casinos is 21 years old.
Though a popular city, Louisville, Kentucky does not have any casinos. The closest casino to Louisville is, Red Mile, which is located about 75 miles east in Lexington.
Planning a visit to Kentucky casinos?
For more information on visiting casinos in Kentucky, call the Kentucky Department of Tourism at (800) 225-8747, or visit their website at https://www.kentuckytourism.com/
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TOP THINGS TO DO IN KENTUCKY
Kentucky is also called the Bluegrass state and it features a wide range of geography and cultural history. The state offers a diverse range of attractions for all type of travelers from couples to families. The state is also popularly known as the home of the Kentucky Derby which is held in May close to Louisville. Kentucky is filled with bustling cities, waterfalls, the longest cave system in the world, amusement parks, and so on that you can explore. Some of the top things to do in Kentucky are listed below.
Kentucky Derby
This is the most popular event in Kentucky and it is among the most prestigious horse race which is held at Churchill Downs just outside of Louisville. The event takes place on the first Sunday in May and it attracts huge crowds. This event is a top thing to experience if you are a horse racing lover. You can also visit the Kentucky Derby Museum which homes varieties of exhibits where you will get an insight into the history of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. The museum also features exhibits about thoroughbred horses and each stage of their lives and training. Some of the top artifacts to see here are belongings of popular trainers like Bill Shoemaker and Wayne Lukas. If you are lucky, you can also join the off-season tours of the Churchill Downs to catch a glimpse of the behind the scenes looks at the venue.
The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Derby City Gaming.
Dog Slaughter Falls
This fall is among the top natural sights in Kentucky and it is perfect for a family hike. The Falls is 15-foot high and it is among the most impressive in the state and you can explore the Dog Slaughter Falls Trail where you can enjoy stunning views of the falls. The hiking trail is rated as moderate and it is a perfect place to go dog walking. Some of the plants that you will find on the trail are Hemlock and rhododendrons.
The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Red Mile.
Daniel Boone National Forest
This national forest covers over 708,000 acres of land and it runs through 21 counties in eastern Kentucky. The highlight of the park is its varied terrain which consists of over 3,400 miles of sandstone cliffs, gorges, and ravines divided by rivers and streams. It also features a Natural Bridge which is 65 feet high and 75 feet wide. The bridge was created by the erosive forces of wind and water and it is regarded to be among the numerous bizarre rock formations in the park. The park also features numerous walking trails that you can explore. The largest trail is the Sheltowee Trace trail which covers 273 miles through the Daniel Boone National Forest. You can also explore the Barren Folk Accessible Heritage Trail which is the closest to Whitley City and it features a 0.75-mile paved trail where you will learn about the history of Barren Folk Mining and Coal.
The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Red Mile.
The Appalachians
The Appalachians extends for about 2000 miles and it acts as a natural barrier between the interior lowlands of North America and the eastern coastal plain. It was once an enormous mountain range before it was slowly eroded away to its present state. Although the peak of Appalachians is not that high, it features very rugged terrain and it is only the experienced hikers that can climb it. Once you get to the top of the rock, you will get to enjoy mind-blowing views of the surroundings.
The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Red Mile.
Gallatin County Courthouse
This is a stunning place to go if you want to learn about the Civil War and it houses some of the most enchanting places in Kentucky. Although this county is quite small by areas it has a rich history and has a unique charm. One of the communities not to miss while in the County is Sparta which is where the Kentucky Speedway is held.
Casinos Near Me Map
The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Derby City Gaming.
Kentucky Lake
This lake is among the largest man-made artificial lakes in the US and it holds about 4,008,000 acre-feet of water. The lake offers otherworldly sunset views which you must not miss while in Kentucky. The popular activity around the lake is Bass and crappie fishing while you will find an elk and bison prairie between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. You are going to find the Kenlake State Resort Park located on the west of Kentucky Lake while the Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park can be found in the northern part of the lake.
Casinos Near Me With Slot Machines
The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Kentucky Downs.
How many casinos are in Kentucky?
There are currently 4 casinos located in Kentucky. • Derby City Gaming • Kentucky Downs • Ellis Park • Red Mile
What is the gambling age in Kentucky?
Introduction to Kentucky Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Kentucky slot machine casino gambling does not include games of chance, which are strictly illegal. Instead, Kentucky has competition-based electronic gaming machines at four out of its five pari-mutuel wagering racetracks.
Theoretical payout limits are not available but monthly return statistics are available for electronic gaming machines.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Kentucky*
The minimum legal gambling age in Kentucky depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: Not available
- Poker Rooms: Not available
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Kentucky’s interpretation of legal gambling requires the competitor’s level of skill “must sufficiently govern the results.”
Therefore, competition-based games are legal as well as pari-mutuel wagering. Traditional slots are illegal, including those referred to as Class III, Vegas-style, and games-of-chance slot machines.
Kentucky has competition-based electronic games available in a few of their pari-mutuel facilities. These skill-based games are anonymously-based historical race results.
Historically, Kentucky has had a fascinating relationship with gambling. While casino gambling was never legal, gambling dens were prevalent before the Great Depression of 1929. To this day, the open display of illegal gambling from that time in American history continues to negatively affect the perception of gaming in Kentucky.
If you’re ever in Newport, directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, consider walking the Newport Gangster Tour.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Kentucky
In Kentucky, it is legal to own a slot machine privately.
Gaming Control Board in Kentucky
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) regulates skill-based games at pari-mutual racetracks in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
These devices are Historic Horse Racing (HHR) electronic gaming machines. The KHRC reports Kentucky offers 2,981 HHR machines.
Casinos in Kentucky
There are five pari-mutuel racetracks in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Of these, only four sites offer skill-based HHR electronic gaming machines.
The largest casino in Kentucky is Derby City Gaming with 1,000 HHR gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Red Mile Gaming & Racing, an HHR parlor in partnership with Keeneland Race Course, with 938 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in Kentucky
The four out of five of Kentucky’s pari-mutuel racetracks with skill-based HHR electronic gaming machines are:
- Derby City Gaming in Louisville located 74 miles west of Lexington on the Indiana border.
- Ellis Park Racing and Gaming in Henderson located 105 miles northwest of Bowling Green.
- Kentucky Downs Gaming in Franklin located 29 miles south of Bowling Green.
- Red Mile Gaming & Racing in Lexington.
Tribal Casinos in Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has no federally-recognized American Indian tribes and, therefore, no tribal casinos.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Kentucky slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Kentucky is:
- North: Indiana and Ohio Slots
- East: West Virginia Slots
- Southeast: Virginia Slots
- South: Tennessee Slots
- West: Missouri Slots
Each link above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Kentucky.
Our Kentucky Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Kentucky? If so, join our new Kentucky slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Kentucky. Join us!
Payout Returns in Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky does not offer any theoretical payout limits for their competition-based HHR gaming machines.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission offers statistics for HHR gaming under Quick Links entitled Wagering on Historical Horse Races. Its December 2019 report indirectly offers actual return statistics including comparisons to past actuals.
To calculate a player’s win percentage from the report, divide Less: Return to Public by Total Handle. For December 2019, the monthly Player’s Win% for HHR machines were:
- State-wide: 91.5%
- Derby City: 90.9%
- Ellis Park: 93.9%
- Keeneland/Red Mile: 91.3%
- Kentucky Downs: 92.0%
From this December 2019 report, Ellis Park had the highest player win% at nearly 94% while Derby City had the lowest at nearly 91%.
Summary of Kentucky Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Kentucky slot machine casino gambling exists as competition-based, games-of-skill Historical Horse Racing (HHR) electronic gaming machines instead of games-of-chance slot machines.
No minimum or maximum theoretical payout limits have been set. Monthly return statistics are publicly available for each pari-mutuel racetrack with HHR games.
Annual Progress in Kentucky Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, Kentucky increased its HHR machines by 9% to 2,981 devices. However, the average daily handle for HHRs increased by 46%. For 2020 so far, it’s an amazing 59% increase compared to 2019.
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
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Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC