Gambling in the U.S. & Kentucky

Overview

Gambling laws in the United States vary widely by state, creating a complex legal landscape. Over the past twenty years, courts have favored the expansion of gambling, especially sports betting.

The interactive map below shows where different forms of gambling are legally permitted across the United States. Use the filter dropdown to select a gambling type (such as sports betting, lottery, or casinos). States highlighted in color indicate where that activity is allowed.

References

  1. American Gaming Association. (2024, August). Regulatory vigilance critical to ensure “sweepstakes” don’t threaten consumers and undermine gaming regulation [PDF]. Legal Sports Report. https://www.legalsportsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AGA-Sweepstakes-Memo-1.pdf

  1. American Gaming Association. (2025). State of Play: Gaming map and legal landscape. https://www.americangaming.org/research/state-of-play-map/

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).

  1. Blaszczynski, A., & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Addiction, 97(5), 487–499.

  1. Custer, R. L., & Milt, H. (1985). When Luck Runs Out: Help for Compulsive Gamblers and Their Families. Facts on File.

  1. Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. (n.d.). Responsible gambling guidelines. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://www.evergreencpg.org/responsible-gaming/responsible-gambling-guidelines/

  1. Gambling Industry News. (2025). U.S. Lottery – A state-by-state guide. GamblingIndustryNews.com. https://gamblingindustrynews.com/usa-lottery/

  1. Kentucky Center for Statistics. (2024). Kentucky Incentives for Prevention (KIP) statewide report. https://www.kipsurvey.com/kip-reports-publications

  1. Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling. (2022). By the numbers: Kentucky gambling behavior, prevalence, and treatment estimates. https://kycpg.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/By-the-Numbers.pdf

  1. Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling. (n.d.). Referral resources for individuals and families. Find a Counselor – Kentucky Gambling Help

  1. Kentucky Department of Charitable Gaming. (2024). Licensing and Regulations. https://dcg.ky.gov

  1. Kentucky General Assembly. (2023). House Bill 551 (Regular Session). Bills - Legislative Research Commission

  1. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. (2024). Pari-Mutuel Wagering Overview. https://khrc.ky.gov

  1. Kentucky Lottery Corporation. (2025). Fiscal Year 2025 annual report. https://klcannualreport.my.canva.site/fy25

  1. Legal Sports Report. (January 5, 2026). US Sports Betting Revenue & Handle. https://www.legalsportsreport.com/sports-betting-states/revenue/

  1. Let’s Gamble USA. (2024). Kentucky gambling laws & legal age to gamble. Let’s Gamble USA. https://www.letsgambleusa.com/kentucky/gambling-laws/

  1. National Collegiate Athletic Association. (2023, May). Sports wagering survey of 18–22 year olds. NCAA Media Center. NCAA releases sports wagering survey data - NCAA.org

  1. National Council on Problem Gambling. (2024). NGAGE 3.0 Key Findings. Washington, DC: National Council on Problem Gambling. https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NGAGE-3.0-Key-Findings-FINAL-FOR-DISTRIBUTION.pdf

  1. National Council on Problem Gambling. (2024). NGAGE Survey Dashboard. Retrieved from https://www.ncpgambling.org/training/ngage-survey/ngage-dashboard/

  1. National Council on Problem Gambling. (2025). Problem Gambling Fact Sheet. https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PGAM-2025-Problem-Gambling-Fact-Sheet.pdf

  1. New York Council on Problem Gambling. (2023, August). Sports betting glossary of terms. https://nyproblemgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sports-Betting-Glossary-of-Terms.pdf

  1. NKyTribune. (2025, January). Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling sees increase in helpline calls amid greater awareness. NKyTribune. https://nkytribune.com/2025/01/kentucky-council-on-problem-gambling-sees-increase-in-helpline-calls-amid-greater-awareness/

  1. Responsible Gambling Council. (n.d.). What is gambling? Responsible Gambling Council. https://responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/about-gambling/what-is-gambling/

  1. SweepCasinos. (2025). Sweepstakes casinos in Kentucky: Free online casino play. https://sweepcasinos.com/state/kentucky

  1. USA Casinos. (2024). Kentucky Casinos. https://usa-casino.com/usa-casinos/kentucky-casinos/