Poker Tournaments Lexington Ky
Important KY Notes
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- Poker Tournaments Lexington Ky Kentucky
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- KY citizens can lawfully play at offshore poker sites
- State has an anti-gambling tradition, aside from horse racing
- Lottery, charitable, and horse racing, only legal forms
- Many KY residents head to neighboring IN for casino gaming
- Still no criminal penalties for players in gambling games
The state of Kentucky does not allow any form of online poker to be operated within their state according to its law books. There are no bills in the legal channels that may make online poker a reality in the state in the near future, nor has the state considered creating an authority that may oversee and regulate a potential online poker industry in Kentucky. Uniquely in US gambling law, Kentucky’s gambling legislation accommodates zero criminal liability for anyone caught wagering outside the framework of legal gambling. Offshore poker rooms report on regular visits by residents of the Bluegrass State which is legal.
Kentucky USSSA Baseball. 1705 S County Rd 125W. North Vernon, IN 47265. Phone: 812-767-4310. E-mail: bj.sigler@usssa.com. Kentucky Poker Similarly to casino games, playing poker for real money is illegal in Kentucky as local legislators refuse to treat it like a game of skill. If you want to play live poker, your best bet is the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana, which hosts big events, including the World Series of Poker tournaments. Home Posts Tagged 'poker'. Gambling issues this week at Clarion Hotel in Lexington. Jan 29th, 2020 0 Comment. Many participate in tournaments, some of which are staged in arenas before. Re: Poker in Lexington, KY? Lexington has a good underground game that is 2/5 NL, 2/5 PLO, and 5/10 NL. There is also a good 1/2 NL and 2/5 N/L in Richmond in an office building.
Future Outlook of Online Poker in Kentucky – Estimated date of legalization: 2021-2022
The following graph tracks our expected legislation of online poker in Kentucky on a state law level. It is currently already legal on a Federal level. This graph monitors the current rise or fall of expected legalization.
A circuit court in Kentucky rejected the assertions of a conservative religious...
The idea of introducing brick and mortar casinos to the state of Kentucky may...
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Kentucky is one of those states where it is difficult to say in which directions the winds are blowing in terms of online poker and gambling in general. State laws are full of paradoxes. On the one hand, Kentucky takes a relatively strict stance when it comes to unregulated gambling, but on the other it doesn’t hold gamblers liable for doing so and they recently passed an online lottery.
Horse racing and the betting trimmings that come with this sport are entrenched in Kentucky’s character, and the fact that placing bets on races online is legal, could mean that a natural next step may be expanding online gambling to include casino games and poker. However, nothing has yet appeared on the horizon which indicates that this is the direction that Kentucky is willing to take. In addition, Kentucky has a relatively small population – less than 4.5 million residents – meaning that it will be very difficult for the state to support a viable online poker industry without signing compacts with other states or jurisdictions.
Many believed that as long as Governor Steve Beshear is in office (he no longer is governor), there is zero to little chance that Kentucky will see legalized online poker. Beshear, who ironically based his gubernatorial campaign on the expansion of gambling in Kentucky many years ago, made headlines in 2008 when he announced his intention to shut down 141 illegal internet gambling sites[A] in the state in an effort to halt unregulated online gambling. At the time, Beshear filed a civil suit against the domain names, stating that, “unlicensed, unregulated, illegal Internet gambling poses a tremendous threat to the citizens of the Commonwealth because of its ease, availability and anonymity. The owners and operators of these illegal sites prey on Kentucky citizens, including our youth, and deprive the Commonwealth of millions of dollars in revenue. It’s an underworld wrought with scams and schemes.”
The case rolled on for over three years during which time the Federal Government seized nine of the domain names (FullTiltPoker.com, PokerStars.com, AbsolutePoker.com, UltimateBet.com, DoylesRoom.com, TruePoker.com, Bookmaker.com and Bodog.com). In 2011, the governor filed papers with the Department of Justice in a bid to claim some of the frozen assets[B] belonging to Full Tilt Poker seized on Black Friday (April 2011).
In 2012[C], the original judge in the case ordered that the registry, Verisign hand over the remaining domain names[D] to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In June 2013, Kentucky finally gave up on its fraud claims[E] against Poker Stars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker after the Department of Justice agreed to give some of the settlement funds that it received from the Poker Stars sale deal to the State of Kentucky.
Another personality with clout, who has expressed an opinion on the subject is the president of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation, Arthur L. Gleason Jr. In 2012, Gleason voiced his opposition to a bill[F] put forward by Senators Reid and Kyl to legalize online poker on a federal level. Gleason’s opposition is interesting because he is of the opinion that the introduction of a federal bill would infringe on the rights of individual states to regulate their own internet gambling industries. “Individual states are best able to decide what, if any, gambling should occur within their borders”, he said. At the time, he noted that while the lottery has no immediate plans to initiate any form of online gambling, “we strongly wish to preserve that right and all revenue-generating opportunities that may be available should it be determined to be in the best interest of the Commonwealth in the future. The legislation being developed by Senators Reid and Kyl, however, if enacted, would definitely curtail that right, and consequently, future revenue generating opportunities.”
History of Gambling in Kentucky
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Poker Tournaments Lexington Ky Kentucky
Land Based Poker in Kentucky
The laws governing gambling in general also cover poker in Kentucky. Section 528:010(3)[G] defines gambling as, “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device which is based upon an element of chance, in accord with an agreement or understanding that someone will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”
But it seems that Kentucky law only targets operators of poker and not players of poker, as seen in the section Gambling Laws in Kentucky below.
In terms of finding land poker games to play, this may prove to be a difficult task. Kentucky does not offer legal poker rooms and while the player won’t land in any trouble for playing home poker games for real money, operators risk running afoul of the law for “advancing gambling activity”. Having said that, home poker games can be found in the state. Those caught running home games could, technically, be found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and if home (or bar) games take a profit, operators could face felony charges and up to five years in prison.
A number of poker leagues exist in Kentucky, including the Kentucky Blue Poker Crew, the WPT Amateur League and Under the Gun Poker League, a free Texas Hold ’em league played at bars around Lexington, Kentucky. Monthly tournaments are held for top contenders, with prizes to be won.
An interpretation of the law[H] by Professor William F. Weld of Harvard Law School states that, “Kentucky law currently allows for a state lottery and gambling at horse tracks and bingo halls. Legal analysis reveals that the same statutes should be interpreted to include poker since it is predominantly a game of skill, not an illegal game of chance.”
Gambling Laws in Kentucky
As stated, gambling laws in Kentucky are covered by state code 528.010; 230.010. A definition of gambling under Kentucky legislation is noted in the section above, Land Based Poker in Kentucky. The law generally protects those who are merely ‘players’ of a game by having zero criminal liability, but is not ashamed to go after anyone who could be even vaguely considered an operator. A person who ‘advances gambling activity’, is described in Section 528.010(7) as, “when, acting other than as a player, he engages in conduct that materially aids any form of gambling activity. The conduct shall include, but is not limited to, conduct directed toward the establishment of the particular game, contest, scheme, device, or activity involved; toward the acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment, or apparatus therefor; toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to participate therein; toward the actual conduct of the playing phases thereof; toward the arrangement of any of its financial or recording phases or toward any other phase of its operation.”
In a nutshell, the only forms of legalized gambling in Kentucky are pari-mutuel wagering in licensed settings on dog and horse races. In addition, the state offers a lottery to its citizens, as well as several forms of charitable gambling such as bingo and raffles. A quirky Kentucky gambling law states under Section 372.010 that anyone who loses money gambling can sue the operator to recover his or her losses. Should the player not sue within six months, anyone else can sue to recover the losses.
With such a sparse range of options, many Kentuckians head to nearby West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to enjoy quality casino gambling.
Over the years, attempts have been made to expand gambling in the state, especially considering the long and rich history Kentucky has with horse racing and breeding. However, it seems that it is this very industry that is gambling expansion’s biggest obstacle, with much of the opposition coming from the horse racing industry. Operators of tracks and on-site betting facilities are afraid that the expansion of casino gambling would keep their profits down and, until now, they have successfully blocked any changes to the current legislation.
According to Associated Press[I], lawmakers will attempt to bring Las Vegas style casinos to their jurisdictions in Kentucky during the course of 2014, in the form of potential constitutional amendments that would appear on the 2014 fall ballot should it be approved by the General Assembly which it wasn’t. Supporters of expanded gambling say that the state will benefit economically by the construction of seven planned casinos, with locations determined by companion legislation.
Exceptions to Kentucky’s anti-gambling legislation include one of the only types of legal ‘gambling devices’ – pari mutuel machines that dispense tickets at licensed tracks. Pinball machines are also allowed as long as they are played “for amusement only” and offer up to 30 free games.
There are no brick and mortar casinos – tribal or state endorsed – in Kentucky, although the state’s close proximity to states that do offer casino gambling helps players wanting to get in some live gambling. The Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana, for example, is a popular choice for fans of table games and casino games. The Horseshoe is considered the birthplace of the World Series of Poker brand and offers 30 lively tables in a top class poker room, with daily games such as No Limit Texas Hold ’em to Seven Card Stud.
In 2015, state representatives again proposed Vegas style casinos to enter their state, up to six. This proposition has not come to fruition yet, but 2016 looks much more promising.
Racing in Kentucky boasts a rich history and continues to be one of the state’s most revenue generating industries. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission[J], an independent agency of state government, is responsible for regulating the conduct of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and related activities in Kentucky. All statutes and regulations pertaining to racing in Kentucky can be found here[K].
In general, pari-mutuel betting is allowed on horse running, trotting and pacing races, harness races. Off track interstate wagering is also legal. Bookmaking, organizing or promoting gambling or possessing gambling records and devices are all banned.
It is possible to wager on the Kentucky Derby and other races online. The Kentucky Derby promotes twinspires.com[L] as the official site to wager on this annual Grade I stakes race for three year old thoroughbreds. The KentuckyDerby.com[M] site also provides an option to wager on potential competitors at attractive odds.
Created in 1989, the Kentucky Lottery[N] has earned over $4 billion for the state’s treasury, donating more than $2 billion the Kentucky Excellence Scholarship Program and other worthy causes. The lottery offers draw games such as Pick 3 and Pick 4, Cash Ball, Keno, Mega Millions and Powerball, as well as multiple scratch card options. Lottery tickets can be purchased over the internet and through licensed land-based retailers. Players must be at least 18 years of age to purchase or redeem tickets.
In July 2014, the Kentucky Lottery Corporation issued a proposal to launch an online lottery system in Kentucky, which was approved in late November of 2014. On April 18, 2016, the state went live with the purchasing of lottery tickets over the internet to their residents. There is a $1,000 monthly customer spending limit on the eight lottery games that can be purchased online.
Various forms of charitable gambling are allowed in Kentucky, falling under the Public Protection’s Cabinet’s Department of Charitable Gaming. According to the department it, “provides a regulatory framework allowing charitable gaming to thrive as a viable fundraising mechanism. The department helps to ensure the productivity of charitable gaming through appropriate regulation, oversight and education.”
Kentucky allows bingo, raffles, scratch off type tickets and limited types of ‘casino nights’ (as long as slot machines and video games are not used), all in the name of charity.
Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
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References and Citations
Kentucky is highly restrictive when it comes to gambling, which is defined as staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest or game based on an element of chance. Aside from the Kentucky Lottery, regulated gambling is limited to horse race betting at local racetracks.
No land-based casinos exist within the borders of the state, and all attempts at introducing a bill that would allow this form of gambling have failed. The most recent such effort came in 2016 and was championed by Sen. Julie Raque Adams and Sen. Morgan McGarvey, but the local racing industry had no interest in such an endeavor.
Kentucky Gambling Law Summary
Charitable gambling is permitted in the form of raffles and bingo, although these games can’t be accessed online. There are no laws against social gambling, so there’s nothing to stop a Kentucky resident from testing any games in play money mode or joining a site like Zynga. Local regulations also allow gambling enthusiasts to engage in skill-based games as long as chance doesn’t have a more significant impact on the outcome than skill. While this doesn’t apply to poker, Daily Fantasy Sports platforms have been allowed to offer their services to Kentucky residents without any legal repercussions so far.
Gambling is regulated by Section 528 of the Kentucky statutes. The minimum gambling age in Kentucky is 18 for both horse race betting and lottery games.
| Allowed | Notes | |
| Land-Based Gambling | Yes | Pari-mutuel wagering only |
| Online Gambling | No | Although DFS and skill game sites are available |
| Lottery | Yes | |
| Charitable Gaming | Yes | Bingo and raffles |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 18 for pari-mutuel, bingo, and lottery games | |
Online Gambling in Kentucky
There are no specific regulations on online gambling in Kentucky, and the general definition is broad enough to cover most forms of iGaming. Consequently, engaging in internet gambling on offshore sites in Kentucky is risky, even though sites like Bovada or BetOnline accept Bluegrass State residents.
The current regulations are stringent when dealing with illegal gambling operators, but the state does not penalize the act of placing a bet in an unlicensed game. Consequently, even though the law has been updated without legalizing intrastate gambling operations aside from pari-mutuel betting, Kentucky residents are still free to play on offshore sites without having to worry about any criminal liability.
Fortunately, two of the entities that are allowed to offer land-based gambling in Kentucky operate their own websites. Kentucky Lottery gives you the option to purchase lottery tickets online, and Churchill Downs runs a site called Twin Spires, which allows its customers to wager on horse racing.
Kentucky Casinos
Casino games are illegal in Kentucky, so the only way to play them is by traveling to different stated. Some of the most popular destinations include Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Rivers Casino in Pennsylvania, as well as Belterra Casino and Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino in West Virginia.
Legal online casino gaming is limited to social games – if you enjoy play money games, you can choose one of the popular sites such as Zynga, Slotomania, or Big Fish. Unfortunately, those platforms don’t give you the option to play for real money.
If you’re desperate for some legal real money action, you can try a virtual currency site that allows you to win real money prizes, such as Chumba Casino. Keep in mind that the prizes offered by such platforms aren’t too generous, so you’re unlikely to come out ahead on a deposit to a site that follows this business model.
As mentioned, playing on offshore sites in Kentucky is a risky endeavor. Although local authorities don’t seem interested in going after individual gamblers, state regulations give them the power to do so.
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Kentucky Poker
Similarly to casino games, playing poker for real money is illegal in Kentucky as local legislators refuse to treat it like a game of skill. If you want to play live poker, your best bet is the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana, which hosts big events, including the World Series of Poker tournaments.
If you want to play online, you can join social sites such as Zynga. The only way to win some real money on internet poker in Kentucky is by joining a virtual currency site with real money prizes, such as Global Poker. However, just as in the case of virtual money casino sites, don’t expect to win any money – the real money options only serve to make things more exciting, not to allow such sites to compete with real online poker rooms.
Playing on offshore poker sites is just as risky as joining one of the Kentucky-friendly offshore casinos. Local authorities don’t seem to care about people who play there, but if push comes to shove, there’s nothing to protect you from legal liability.
Kentucky Sports Betting
Even though the Supreme Court has lifted the federal ban on sports betting, this form of gambling remains illegal in Kentucky. Because the local racing industry appears to be interested in maintaining the status quo, this situation is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
Nevertheless, Kentucky residents can engage in pari-mutuel betting at local racetracks in Louisville, Lexington, Florence, Henderson, and Franklin. Online horse race betting is available via a site called Twin Spires, which is operated by Churchill Downs. Twin Spires is a 100% modern platform with simulcast options, promotions, and a loyalty program.
The legality of betting via offshore sportsbooks is similar to what is seen with offshore poker or casino games. Many sites accept Kentucky residents, but using such platforms may put you in legal jeopardy.
Kentucky Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy Sports are available in Kentucky as they’re considered a game of skill, but their legal status hasn’t been challenged yet. With that out of the way, Kentucky residents are currently free to use all the popular DFS platforms, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Fantasy Draft, and Yahoo DFS.
Kentucky Lotteries
Kentucky residents are free to purchase lottery tickets via the official Kentucky Lottery website. Participants can play Keno, Mega Millions, Powerball, Cash Ball, and Lucky Life. The lottery also hosts 39 Instant Play games, which are functionally similar to internet casino games. The online lottery site even offers a $50 bonus for new customers who deposit $100, but you shouldn’t expect the functionality of a fully-fledged casino site.
Kentucky Bingo
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Land-based bingo is available in Kentucky as a charity game. Commercial online bingo isn’t regulated but would likely be classified as an illegal form of gambling. Consequently, if you decide to play at a Kentucky-friendly offshore bingo site, you do so at your own risk.
Kentucky Online Gambling FAQ
What types of gambling are available in Kentucky?
Land-based gambling in Kentucky is pretty much all about the Kentucky Derby, as the state allows and even encourages pari-mutuel betting. There are no casinos within the borders of the state, and locals tend to travel to Indiana or Ohio when they want to get some live action. Charitable gambling is also allowed, and the state operates its own lottery. Online gambling is regulated to some extent.
What laws cover online gambling in Kentucky?
The laws and regulations that concern gambling enthusiasts are all listed in Section 528 of the Kentucky statutes. Contrary to what some people might believe, none of those statutes prohibit Kentucky residents playing games of chance over the internet. Consequently, players from Kentucky are free to pursue their hobby online without having to worry about being prosecuted.
Is real money online gambling legal in Kentucky?
As mentioned above, real money internet gaming is 100% legal, as it isn’t prohibited in any of the local statutes.
Which offshore gambling sites accept Kentucky residents?
Offshore sites tend to focus on the states that don’t have any iGaming regulations. Consequently, some sites might refuse new Kentucky-based customers. Fortunately, Bovada is one of the sites that tend to have no qualms about accepting Kentucky residents.
What are the most popular banking options supported by Kentucky -facing sites?
We recommend Visa debit and credit cards, but MasterCard is also a viable option. Once you decide it’s time to withdraw, you should be able to request a wire transfer or a standard check delivered by courier.
Does Kentucky offer any intrastate online gambling?
Yes, Kentucky residents can wager on horse racing on state-approved sites. Sadly, Kentucky doesn’t seem to be interested in opening its local internet gambling market any further. As a result, Kentucky-based gambling enthusiasts have only offshore sites to choose from when it comes to online casino games or poker.
Is it likely for Kentucky to regulate online gambling?
Kentucky already has some online gambling regulations, and most experts agree that a more iGaming-friendly bill isn’t likely to be passed in the foreseeable future.