Kentucky proposal seeks to raise sports betting age to 21 and restrict certain prop wagers

The legislation also would legalize fantasy sports wagering under the state’s sports betting statutes, which would be regulated under the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.

The betting age for horse racing, including on slots-like historical horse racing machines operated by racetracks at more than a dozen locations across the state, would remain 18.

Reps. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, and Matt Koch, R-Paris, introduced the bill, House Bill 904, on March 4. It has not yet been assigned to a House committee.

Kentucky lawmakers legalized sports betting in 2023 and the first bets were placed that September, but the regulations did not address fantasy contests, which are popular among sports fans. Despite the lack of regulations, daily fantasy sports is available in Kentucky through providers such as DraftKings.

“We created a nationally recognized structure for sports wagering in the commonwealth a few years ago,” said Meredith, in a news release. “House Bill 904 would bring us in line with much of the country in governing fantasy contests. Our goal is to make sure consumers are protected and have access to the products they are demanding in the marketplace.”

Meredith sponsored the legislation that made sports gambling legal in Kentucky. This made Kentucky the 37th state with legalized sports gambling since the United States Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on state authorization of sports betting back in 2018.

It’s become hugely lucrative in the state.

In fiscal year 2025, more than $2.8 billion was wagered online and in retail betting locations operated by racetracks, generating $41 million in Kentucky excise taxes.

So far in fiscal year 2026, almost $1.9 billion has been wagered on sports betting in Kentucky.

This year’s proposed bill would also require Kentucky racetracks to update gaming technology in coming years. And it would make additional changes to Kentucky’s charitable gaming laws, including making charitable gaming machines off-limits to those under 21.

“It is important that we ensure safeguards are in place to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of lawful wagering and charitable gaming,” Koch said in the release. “The Wagering Consumer Protection Act would build on the General Assembly’s previous work to strengthen industry oversight and establish a regulatory framework that supports the long-term success of these industries.”

Sports wagering is especially prevalent among a young demographic. According to survey results released by the NCAA in May 2023, 58% of 18-to-22-year-olds have engaged in at least one sports betting activity.

According to that NCAA report, changing the legal age for sports wagering may not have much of an impact on the activity.

“State legality and age restrictions do not pose much difficulty, as areas where betting is legal versus those where it is illegal have nearly the same rate of engagement,” the report said.

Issues related to sports wagering extend to college sports participants. A summer 2023 NCAA survey of school compliance directors found that 27% had dealt with a sports wagering problem among athletes and staff over the past year.