Kentucky’s General Assembly is set to amend the state’s sports gambling laws under House Bill 904, which primarily affects the horse industry but includes significant changes for sports bettors. The most notable change raises the minimum age for sports gambling from 18 to 21, though this does not apply to slot machines, horse racing, or fantasy betting contests, with Kentucky taxing fantasy betting for the first time. Additionally, the bill bans prop bet unders on college athletes to prevent potential game-fixing and harassment, and introduces a restriction barring individuals more than $500 behind on child support from placing sports wagers.
The bill also brings new regulations to horse racing, including the introduction of fixed-odds wagering, making Kentucky the fourth state to license this betting style where odds are set early and remain constant, potentially curbing the impact of large, last-minute bets by algorithmic bettors. Another amendment prevents The Jockey Club from capping the number of times a mare can breed with a stallion, addressing concerns about genetic diversity in horse breeding. The bill now awaits Governor Andy Beshear’s signature or veto.
