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Best Kentucky sportsbook prelaunch bonuses
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The era of legal Kentucky sports betting has arrived! The first Kentucky online sportsbooks started accepting wagers on Sept. 28, 2023 and all of them feature attractive welcome offers to attract new sign-ups. With so many sites launching, we’re here to help you sort through the many available offers and decide which Kentucky sports betting sites are best for you.

Our expert staff has evaluated all of the new Kentucky online sportsbooks in order to provide our recommendations below. Having years of experience reviewing sports betting sites and becoming familiar with what they have offered in other states, we can present with confidence our top picks to help you choose the site or sites on which you’ll be placing your first online sports betting bets in KY.

Anyone of legal age is eligible to create accounts at Kentucky sports betting sites. Read on for the best breakdown of the new Kentucky online sportsbooks including details about how to take advantage of their welcome offers and what you can expect to find once you join the sites.

Top 4 Kentucky sportsbook welcome offers

Here are the best welcome offers available right now at Kentucky online sportsbooks: 

Sportsbook Promo Code Current Offer
BetMGM Sportsbook SPORTSPICK Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
FanDuel Sportsbook None - Use Link Bet any $5 moneyline, Get $150 in Bonus Bets, win or lose
Caesars Sportsbook

NEWS1000

Up to $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
DraftKings Sportsbook None - Use Link Get $1,200 in Bonuses
 

Best Kentucky sportsbook promo codes

BetMGM Kentucky promo code and welcome offer

BetMGM Sportsbook is available in more than 20 states and tops our list of recommended sites for Kentucky sports bettors now that it’s live in the Bluegrass State. The “King of Sportsbooks” covers a wide range of markets with lots of great props, parlays, and futures all with competitive odds. You can also participate in the BetMGM Rewards program after joining the site.

In Kentucky, new sign-ups should enter the promo code SPORTSPICK in order to receive BetMGM Sportsbook’s $1,500 First Bet Offer. When you do, if your first qualifying bet loses you will be paid back the equivalent amount in Bonus Bets up to $1,500.

Pros and cons of the BetMGM welcome offer

Pros

  • Receiving back your losing wager in Bonus Bets gives you a second chance to win.
  • If you lose your initial qualifying bet, you’ll receive your Bonus Bets within 24 hours of the bet being settled.
  • Winnings earned from successful Bonus Bets are yours to keep (either to withdraw or wager with).

Cons

  • If you claimed the pre-launch offer, you are not eligible for this welcome offer.
  • You must use your Bonus Bets within seven days or they’ll expire.
  • If you win your initial qualifying bet, you get to enjoy your winnings but you’ll receive no bonus.

What is the BetMGM Sportsbook KY welcome offer?

A $1,500 First Bet Offer that allows you to get your money back in Bonus Bets if you lose your first bet. After depositing at least $10 and making an initial qualifying bet, if you lose that bet you receive the equivalent amount in Bonus Bets up to a maximum of $1,500. If your first bet is less than $50 and you lose, you get that amount back as a single Bonus Bet. If you lose more, you receive the amount back divided into five Bonus Bets (20% each of your wager). Remember, you must use your Bonus Bets within seven days of receiving them or you lose them. 

What can I win with BetMGM’s offer?

You’ll win whatever you earn from placing winning wagers with the $1,500 in Bonus Bets. You can win more from winning plus money bets (underdogs) than minus money ones (favorites). Note that you only collect winnings and not the wager amount when placing bonus bets.

What makes BetMGM’s offer better than other welcome offers?

Other sites have similar “second chance” welcome offers that let you lose a first bet and get back what you lost in Bonus Bets. BetMGM Sportsbook’s offer of up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets is on the high side when compared to other sites’ promotions.

FanDuel Kentucky promo code and welcome offer 

FanDuel Sportsbook is the most popular online sports betting site across the US at present, and will certainly be a favorite site among Kentucky bettors as well. FanDuel’s special same-game parlays are especially well liked, as are the site’s other ongoing promos.

For a welcome offer, FanDuel Sportsbook KY is giving new sign-ups: Bet $5 on any moneyline and Get $150 in bonus bets whether your team wins or loses. No code is needed when registering, but use our links when signing up to receive the offer.

Pros and cons of the FanDuel welcome offer

Pros

  • You don’t have to use the $150 in Bonus Bets all at once, but can wager them any way you like. 
  • Winnings from Bonus Bets are yours to keep (winnings only, not including stake amount) with no additional playthrough requirement.

Cons

  • You must wager your Bonus Bets within seven days of receiving them, or they will be forfeited.
  • You do have to claim the offer using the FanDuel Sportsbook app. If you register via the web-based site, you’ll receive a message directing you to download the app to claim the welcome offer.

What is the FanDuel Sportsbook KY welcome offer?

Bet any $5 moneyline, Get $150 in Bonus Bets, win or lose!

What can I win with FanDuel’s offer?

It depends on how well you do when placing those $150 in Bonus Bets if your initial wager wins. For any wagers you win, you’ll get to keep the money won (minus the stake amount) and will be free to withdraw it or use it to place further bets.

What makes FanDuel’s offer better than other welcome offers?

FanDuel Sportsbook doesn't require a huge initial wager to earn your bonus bets. 

Caesars Kentucky promo code and welcome offer

Caesars Sportsbook is another top choice in many states that will prove popular in Kentucky as well. Covering many markets, offering competitive odds, and providing a huge array of wagering opportunities, Caesars sports betting site has a lot to recommend it, with the chance to participate in the renowned Caesars Rewards loyalty program an added benefit.

Those registering new accounts at Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky should use promo code NEWS1000 to receive Caesars’ welcome offer - an up to $1,000 First Bet on Caesars. 

If your qualifying wager is graded as a loss you'll earn a one-time Bonus Bet token equal to your full bet (up to a maximum of $1,000).

Pros and cons of the Caesars welcome offer

Pros

  • Your first bet up to $1,000 is insured through bonus bets.
  • You receive the Bonus Bets if your initial qualifying bet loses. 
  • Winnings earned from successful Bonus Bets are yours to keep (either to withdraw or wager with)

Cons

  • Most bettors are unlikely to redeem the full $1,000 
  • With Bonus Bets if you win you only receive winnings and do not get back the bet amount (as you do when placing a regular cash wager).

What is the Caesars Sportsbook KY welcome offer?

Within 30 days of opening a Caesars Account, you must place your first real money sports bet (“Qualifying Wager”) via the Caesars app or desktop site. If your Qualifying Wager is graded as a loss by Caesars, you earn a one-time Bonus Bet token equal to the lessor of (1) the full value of the Qualifying Wager or 2) $1,000.

What can I win with Caesars’ offer?

If you place winning wagers with your Bonus Bets, you get to keep the winnings. Note that when using Bonus Bets you don’t get back the bet amount, but only the winnings. 

What makes Caesars’ offer better than other welcome offers?

Caesars Sportsbook’s offer is nice in that as long as you make that first bet within 30 days, you'll get another shot at a similar bet.

DraftKings Kentucky promo code and welcome offer

DraftKings Sportsbook is also a favorite choice among sports bettors in other states, and is poised to become a popular choice in Kentucky as well. With tons of sports and bet types available, DraftKings especially stands out for its live betting options and Dynasty Rewards program.

Those creating accounts at DraftKings Sportsbook KY are in line to receive a number of different welcome offers. The initial three-part welcome offer potentially adds up to $1,200 in bonuses. 

First, when you deposit at least $5, you receive a $50 Bonus Bet. Second, there’s also a 20% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000 on that initial deposit. And third, when you make a first wager of at least $5, you get another $150 in Bonus Bets. 

 

Pros and cons of the DraftKings welcome offer

Pros

  • Lots of potential value spread around several different welcome offers. 
  • Receive $200 in Bonus Bets just for depositing and making a small initial qualifying wager. 
  • It doesn’t matter if you win or lose your initial wager on the site, as you’ll receive the Bonus Bets either way.

Cons

  • If you took advantage of the DraftKings Sportsbook KY pre-launch offer, you are ineligible for the bet $5 and get $150 in Bonus Bets offer.
  • The 20% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000 comes with a difficult-to-satisfy 25x wagering requirement
  • You only receive the winnings and not the bet amount when you win wagers made with Bonus Bets.

What is the DraftKings Sportsbook KY welcome offer?

There are three elements of the welcome offer: (1) deposit $5 and receive a $50 Bonus Bet; (2) receive a 20% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000 on that first deposit; (3) make a first wager of at least $5 and receive $150 more in Bonus Bets. 

What can I win with DraftKings’ offer?

With those Bonus Bets adding up to $200, you’ll earn whatever winnings you can accrue from winning wagers. The 20% no deposit match bonus is worth up to another $1,000 on top of that. 

What makes DraftKings’ offer better than other welcome offers?

Those $200 in total Bonus Bets add up to a generous start on the site at DraftKings Sportsbook KY, and the only requirements are a small deposit and small initial wager. The deposit match bonus is nice, too, although comes with a hefty playthrough requirement.

Pros and cons of common Sports Betting welcome offers

Kentucky Sportsbook Promos Pros Kentucky Sportsbook Promos Cons
Bonus bet and site credit refunds give you a second chance if you lose your first bet. Bonus bet, second chance bet, and site credit refunds are not cash refunds; you have to place more bets.
Taking advantage of the offers is as easy as registering for a new account using a promo or bonus code. Deposit match bonuses often come with playthrough requirements as high as 25x.
These offers represent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in value. Bonus bets are rare and usually small.

Types of Kentucky sportsbook promos to expect

Here are the different sportsbook bonuses and promotions at Kentucky online sportsbooks.

Deposit match bonus

Get as much as a 100% match of your deposit up to a set limit. Wagering requirements are attached and can be hard to clear, but anything you win after meeting the requirements is yours.

Referral bonus

This is a bonus for referring friends and family. You get it when they sign up and deposit. They may get it too. However, wagering requirements are sometimes attached.

First-bet offers

Earn bonus bet, site credit, or cash refunds up to a set limit if you lose your first bet with the sportsbook. Wagering requirements are attached to bonus bets and site credit. Plus, payouts on bonus bets rarely include the original stake as they do with cash bets.

Odds boosts

Get better-than-normal odds on a popular bet with the sportsbook. Several top Kentucky online sportsbooks post daily odds boosts for sports in season.

Bet insurance

Claim insurance against losing bets or parlays that come up one leg short. Wagering requirements are attached to the refunded bonus bets and site credit. Again, payouts on bonus bets and site credit rarely include the original stake.

Bet & get bonus

Get bonus bets or site credit after placing at least a minimum-sized bet on some specific sport, game, or event. Wagering requirements are attached to bonus bets, and site credit and payouts rarely include the original stake.

App-only offers

This would include any of the offers above that are limited to use on the sportsbook’s mobile app. That means you can't take advantage of the offer on the sportsbook’s website. 

Special event offers

This would cover any of the offers above limited to a specific game or event. This could be Super Bowl odds boosts or NBA Finals single-game parlay insurance.

Loyalty offers/programs

Many of the top sports betting apps offer free membership in a player loyalty program where you can earn rewards with every bet you place. These rewards could be additional cashback or bonus bets. 

Many are connected to land-based casino loyalty programs, allowing you to earn and redeem points and credits online in Kentucky and at affiliated gaming properties nationwide.

Important Kentucky sportsbook promo conditions

Most Kentucky sportsbook promo offers come with specific terms and conditions attached.

Always read these terms and conditions to understand what you’re in for, what’s required of you, and how to get the most value out of any offer.

Here are some possible conditions to note. 

Banking options

Your banking options may be limited regarding bonuses and the winnings that stem from them. You may also need to deposit before you can withdraw.

Playthrough requirements

If playthrough requirements are attached to a bonus, you need to meet them before you can withdraw the money. That means you have to bet with the bonus amount the prescribed number of times. After that, anything you win will be yours.

Betting limitations

Some bonuses come with limitations on the types of bets you can place and the minimum or maximum odds paid. You must place a bet that qualifies for the promo to take advantage of it. 

Time limits

Most bonuses have a shelf life. In other words, you must use the bonus and meet all wagering requirements before it expires. Time limits can be anywhere from 24 hours to 30 days.

Bonus payout time

You can withdraw anything you win once you’ve met all the wagering requirements. How fast you’ll get that money depends on the sportsbook, whether you made a deposit, and what banking method you used. You must accept the sportsbook's chosen withdrawal method if you didn't deposit.

If you did, your withdrawal will be processed via the same banking method you used to deposit. Either way, payout times vary from a few hours with cash at the cage of an affiliated retail sportsbook or casino up to 30 days for a check in the mail. That said, most withdrawals can be processed within 24 hours.

See more: Top 7 fastest paying sports betting sites

Maximum withdrawals

Some bonuses come with limitations on the amount you can withdraw at one time. Win big with a bonus subject to maximum withdrawal amounts, and it will take some time to get you all your money.

Kentucky sport-specific betting bonuses

There are no major pro sports teams in Kentucky. However, NCAA basketball, particularly Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals basketball, are cultural institutions. 

The top sports betting sites in the country know this, and they're bound to run various college basketball promos in Kentucky. Expect to see college basketball promos this season, particularly surrounding college basketball odds for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, and March Madness. 

Of course, the NFL draws more betting than any other sport in the country, even in states like Kentucky with no NFL team. The thing is, Kentuckians have long rooted for the Cincinnati Bengals, the closest team in proximity to the state.

Once again, the top sportsbooks are bound to run various NFL betting promos in Kentucky, knowing that's what Kentuckians are most likely to bet on. 

How do I claim Kentucky sportsbook promos?

Claiming a Kentucky sportsbook promo can be as simple as signing up for a new account via the links on this page, using the promo or bonus code you find here during registration, or placing a qualifying bet.

Just follow the terms and conditions spelled out in the bonus or promotional offer to claim it. You may need to opt in or ensure the bet you place qualifies for the promo you’re trying to take advantage of, but all these things will be easy to do if you follow the instructions in the terms and conditions.

If you need to use a promo code or bonus code for an offer from a Kentucky sportsbook, you’ll find a space to enter the code on the sportsbook’s registration forms. Enter the sportsbook-specific promo or bonus code that’s listed here in that space. 

If playthrough or wagering requirements are attached to a bonus or promo, they prescribe exactly how many times you need to bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw. After meeting the playthrough requirements, anything you’ve won is yours.

Kentucky sportsbook promo codes FAQ

How many bonuses can I get from one Kentucky sportsbook?

Kentucky sportsbook welcome bonuses are limited to one per person and may be limited to one per household. That said, you can get one bonus from every online sportsbook in the state.

What sports can I use my bonus on?

Unless the terms and conditions say otherwise, you can use a bonus to bet on any sport you like. Some promos may be sport-specific, but welcome bonus offers rarely are. 

How do I cash out my winnings from a bonus?

You cash out the winnings from a bonus the same way you would any other winnings. Sportsbooks dump the winnings in your account, and once you’ve met all the wagering requirements attached to your bonus, you can make a withdrawal request for anything in there. Your withdrawal will be processed using the same banking method you employed to deposit. If you’ve yet to deposit, the sportsbook will find an alternative. 

Why should I use the promo code?

The promo codes and bonus codes listed on this page get you the best bonus available. Our team has worked hard negotiating these deals for you. All you have to do is plug in the promo or bonus code when prompted during registration, and you’ll get the best bonus on the market. 

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If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

Author(s)
Martin Derbyshire Photo

Martin Derbyshire is Content Contributor with Catena Media. He’s been writing online casino and sports betting content since 2007, making him a true industry veteran.

Martin Harris Photo

Martin Harris is a content specialist for Catena Media living in North Carolina. He has reported on poker, gambling, and sports betting for a variety of outlets since the mid-2000s.