Kentucky Gambling Laws & Statutes

The laws surrounding gambling can be tough to grasp. Some misinformed people have spread rumors about the legality of, in particular, online gambling in the states. These kinds of erroneous opinions come from misreading the legal language. In this article, we will cover the federal and state laws, and examine the sections that affect Kentucky residents. There are plenty of legal gambling options out there, but it is well worth your time to be acquainted with the laws that regulate them. The Kentucky gambling laws are in a constant state of flux, and many experts believe that many forms of wagering will be legal in most states within a decade. As of now, there are still plenty of legal options out there, and we will tell you where to find the best legal gambling sites for Kentucky residents.

Important State Gambling Laws in Kentucky

Kentucky's gambling laws are straightforward. They allow horseracing, but little else when it comes to land-based gambling. We will highlight the sections of the law that affect residents that are interested in wagering activities. Know that these laws contain definitions that do not apply to some online gambling pursuits. “Illegal gambling” for instance, does not include gambling at a legal online establishment.

372.010 - This section disallows transactions involving gambling. If you come across an illegal gambling operation in your city, and the winnings came from wagering, the funds will subject to seizure by the state government. This means you should avoid local gambling rings, as they are not safe places to do business. On the other hand, legal gambling sites for Kentucky residents constitute lawful transactions, and players need not fret over any legal penalties for participating in gambling.

528.020 - This section targets the operators of illegal gambling rings. “Advancing Gambling Activity” means taking part in the gambling business as anyone other than a player. As long you are playing at trusted gambling sites, you are not breaking the law. Many sections like this can confuse the aspiring gambler, so it is good to understand what the language truly means.

528.010(3)(a) - This section does target the gambler, and conflicting with its dictums is liable for legal action. When you are using an online gambling site, you are not using your funds to engage in gambling. When using these sites you buy chips, or “tokens”, with which to use as you please. Since you are making a legal business transaction, and not using your money to gamble directly, you are not “gambling” as this section defines it.

528.010(7) - This section further protects the average gambler from legal action. It strictly defines the player as an innocent when considering illegal gambling and bookmaking. The operators of gambling rings and the bookmakers that take bets are the targets of this section of the law.

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Federal Laws Affecting Gambling & Gambling In Kentucky

The most important thing to understand about all gambling laws is that they do not target players. While many laws regulate the facilitation of the most popular forms of online gambling within the United States, there are no laws in pace that punish a Kentucky resident for taking part in gambling.

Wire Act – In 1961, the gambling business was going strong, but organized crime had a huge foothold. The Wire Act criminalized the use of wire communication devices involved in gambling, successfully limiting criminal’s ability to transfer illegal funds. This was the first major law to regulate gambling in the states.

PASPA – In 1992, Congress found sports gambling to be a “national problem”. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) passed in order to regulate sportsbooks in America. This law effectively banned sports betting in every state except for Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. This is why you will not find a legal sportsbook operating in Kentucky.

UIGEA – Throughout the mid-2000’s the internet gambling business was booming. Poker, horseracing, and virtual casino sites were scattered throughout the US. The proliferation of such sites brought along nefarious elements as well, with many sites trafficking in illegal gambling practices. Because of this, the Federal government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006. The UIGEA banned online gambling sites from functioning within most of the US, and shut down all the poker sites on a day know throughout the poker community as “Black Friday”. This Act only bans online gambling sites within the state, but has no effect on the many legal wagering sites locates overseas. These sites are fine to use, and millions of US residents are doing so every day./p>

Legal Kentucky Gambling Age

The age for legal Kentucky online gambling is 18. Most online wagering sites require you to be the same age, but you might occasionally come across a site that requires members to be 21. It is always best to go with the higher number when looking at state/online gambling ages. The repercussions of gambling underage are harsh, so don’t fall in the trap breaking these simple rules.

Online Gambling In Kentucky...What's The Verdict?

We hope that this page has given you a greater understanding of the laws that affect gamblers in Kentucky. There are many legal options out there for residents to choose from. Check out our online gambling site reviews to see which sites are safe to use. Two great casinos in the state offer excellent gaming options. Whether you choose online or real-world gambling, you can be sure that you are doing it legally.

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