The Bluegrass state has been long associated with horse racing, but could legal Kentucky casinos finally be on their way? In the second week of January 2025, House Representative Thomas Huff introduced House Bill 33 (HB33).
HB33 proposes legalizing land-based and river casinos, plus the regulation of fantasy sports. It also proposes the implementation of a 21% tax levy on casino revenue, which is towards the high end compared to other states. Residents of each Kentucky county will decide if they want a casino venue in their area through a referendum, or petition.
As always, our experts are on hand to deliver the latest news on legalized betting, so let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of HB33.
| Bill: | House Bill 33 (HB33) |
| Introduced by: | Representative Thomas Huff |
| Proposal: | To legalize land-based and river casinos and a fantasy sports market |
| Revenue tax: | 21% |
| Online casinos included: | No ❌ |
| Other key points: | $3 casino entry fee for patrons and county-specific rules |
The headline is that HB33 looks to legalize land-based and riverboat casino venues in the Bluegrass State, as well as regulating an online and in-person fantasy sports market.
Notably, the proposed 21% tax on casino revenue is on the high side when compared to most other states, but is still a good bit off the top end (34% on casino revenue in Pennsylvania).
Those interested in land-based and riverboat casino sites will also have to fork out some pretty hefty licensing fees in advance of making their bids. However, to help sweeten the deal for would-be casino developers and operators, the bill also seeks to impose a mandatory $3 entry fee for casino customers.
Here are a few key rules about which counties could host Kentucky casino venues:
Once a county has approved a land or riverboat casino, a bidding process would start and be open to all interested parties. However, it would prove pretty costly as minimum fees to bid for a license will apply:
Online casinos are not currently legal in Kentucky, and they are not included in HB33. This bill getting passed and implemented could possibly pave the way for legalized online casino gaming. However, that’s pure speculation at this stage, and if it does happen, it will more than likely be a few years down the line.
There are already some legal ways to gamble in the Bluegrass State. These include horse racing, mobile sports betting (legalized in 2023), and the lottery. You can check out all Kentucky sportsbooks here at DeadSpin today.
