Casinos in Kentucky – Notorious Horse Racing
In this blog, we examine the best casinos in Kentucky – a state which is world-renowned for its horse races. However, in recent years, the on-site gambling locations often referred to as gaming halls, have become just as beloved as the racing tracks. Keep reading to discover the games they offer, which casino is the best, and more.
The Kentucky Derby, hosted in Louisville, is a popular event that most people have at least heard of. The Churchill Downs is the racing facility that hosts the annual derby and is probably also a familiar name. However, did you know that Churchill Downs’ Derby City Gaming is a casino located just a few minutes from the historic racetrack?
The state of Kentucky has welcomed tourists to its fantastic racetracks for decades, but the casinos on its territory shouldn’t be overlooked. Thrilling horse racing games, live entertainment, and great promotions await you at the best casinos we have examined in this blog. Keep reading, and you’ll learn a bit about gambling in Kentucky, the top land-based casinos, and other fun things to do while in the area.
General Facts About Gambling in Kentucky Casinos
Gambling in Kentucky casinos is slightly different than what you might be used to if you’re from a state where traditional casino gambling is legal. In this beautiful state, there are no Indian or any other casinos that offer typical slots, table games, and so on. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t wager in the state.
In Kentucky, the casinos, more commonly referred to as gaming halls, offer instant racing betting machines. These machines are similar to slots, and an untrained eye might even struggle to differentiate between the two. The main difference is that these machines give results based on past horse races, and the spinning reels are just for entertainment.
In addition, you can mix the gaming hall experience with pari-mutuel betting on horse racing to complete the picture. Most casinos are located and associated with a racetrack, which offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy both simultaneously. In this blog, we will focus more on the casino sites, but feel free to check out our article on horse racing movies, many of which focus on real stories related to the Kentucky Derby.
Types of Casinos in Kentucky
When it comes to traditional land-based casinos, the Kentucky Gambling Laws are quite harsh. The traditional casinos, offering slots, blackjack, roulette, and so on, available in many other states, are not legal in Kentucky. Therefore, the casinos we have examined are not technically, but gaming halls and racinos.
The historical horse racing machines we mentioned earlier, are legal since 2010, but even the ones available now are under severe scrutiny by the Family Foundations. Nonetheless, gambling fans can still enjoy them and bet with cash if they are 21 or older.
In addition, in Kentucky, you can participate in Pari-Mutuel betting, which is the only form of sports betting that is legal in the state. Tourists and locals can also enjoy the Kentucky lottery and bingo. Buying lottery tickets online in the bluegrass state is not only easy but also popular. Meanwhile, bingo, regarded as a charitable event, can only be played on location at a bingo hall.
List of Casinos in Kentucky – The Big 5
Despite the harsh legislation, there are 5 casino Kentucky resorts, which have managed to blossom into great gambling locations. So, we’ve put them on our list of casinos in Kentucky that are worth a visit. Some are famous Kentucky casino hotels, and others boost incredible dining experiences. However, all of them have one thing in common – they offer gaming machines and a thrilling experience.
Each gaming hall on this list has something special to offer. Located in Lexington, Franklin, Henderson, Louisville, and Oak Grove, all these top destinations should become stops for your road trip to Kentucky. Stick with us, and you’ll learn interesting facts about them and the region.
- 🛎️ Oak Grove Gaming (Best Aamong Casinos in Kentucky with Hotel)
- 🎲 Derby City Gaming (Best Game Collection)
- 💰 Ellis Park Racing & Gaming (Biggest Casino Jackpots)
- 🏇 Kentucky Downs’ Mint Gaming Hall (Top Choice for Live Racing & New Games)
- 🎙️ Red Mile Gaming & Racing (Best Live Entertainment)
Oak Grove – Best Amongs Casinos in Kentucky with Hotel
Oak Grove Gaming has made our list of casinos in Kentucky, not only because it offers Vegas-sized gaming machines but also because it’s one the only casinos in Kentucky with a hotel, that we could find. Some others have hotels nearby where players can relax, but the Oak Grove Hotel is right where the casino is and offers luxurious rooms and suites.
For some people, where you stay is just as important as where you play, but if you’re not one of those, you can also just park your road trip vehicle in the Oak Grove RV park. Once accommodation is arranged, you can head to the gaming hall, where 1000 slot-like machines await you. Check out these and other amenities in the table below.
| 🏨 Casino Name | Oak Grove Gaming |
| 📍 Address | Campbell Blvd 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove |
| 🍹 Amenities | Bar, Fitness, Event Hall, Conference Room, Steakhouse, Restaurant, Bars, Coffee House, Simulcast, Equestrian Center, Gaming Hall, Racetrack |
| 🎶 Entertainment | Music Festivals, Concerts, Diverse Show Entertainment, Races |
| ⭐ TripAdvisor Rating | 5.0 |
| 🏷️ Price from | $123 |
Oak Grove Gaming has the latest gaming machines, and their state-of-the-art sound and light shows give you an experience you can only get from a Vegas gambling hall. Furthermore, the gaming hall has a Players Club and offers various promotions, such as hot seat drawings and car giveaways.
Derby City Gaming – Best Game Collection in Kentucky
Next, we have the start of this blog – Derby City Gaming. The gambling experience is all about the available games, the size of the gaming halls, and the overall richness of the casino offer. In Kentucky, the iconic Derby City Gaming, located right next to the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, is the one that exceeds in all these categories.
The Derby City Gaming Hall spreads over 8000 square feet and has over 1000 of the newest and greatest historical racing machine games. You can spin the wheel on games such as Wheel of Fortune, Super Charged 7s Classic, Temple of Fire, and many more. In the table below, we’ve tried to showcase the biggest favorites.
| 🎲 Historical Racing Machine | 🔥 Best Game Feature |
|---|---|
| Quick Hit Triple Blazing 7s Super Wheel | Best gaming machine with a lever mechanic |
| Choy’s Kingdom Dancing Foo | Greatest visual and sound effects |
| Crazy Cash Double Up Prosperous Moon | Biggest double wins |
| Choy’s Kingdom Lunar Festival | Unique hold and spin feature |
| Wheel Of Fortune Cash Link Latin Getaways | Best for free spins |
| Fu Dao Le | Top for bonus rounds |
| Mayan Chief Great Stacks | Best theme and graphics |
It’s clear that Derby City Gaming can take the number one spot among the best casinos in Kentucky. The games offered in its enormous gaming hall are so varied, and the fact that they have unique features, such as double wins, free spins, bonus rounds, and so on, makes them so much better.
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming – Biggest Casino Jackpot in Kentucky
The next great casino on our list takes us to Henderson, Kentucky. Ellis Park gaming facility is famous in the state for its jackpots. It has a penny, nickel, quarter, dollar, and five-dollar machines. The jackpots range from around $1000 to over $25,000, and the amounts are constantly updated on their website.
So, if you’re wondering whether it’s worth a visit, you can check out their website first to see what you could potentially win. Becoming a part of Ellis Park’s winner’s circle is certainly something you can brag about in front of your friends, as this gaming hall and racing facility has existed for 100 years.
Kentucky Downs’ Mint Gaming – Top Live Racing & Bingo
Just like Ellis Park, the Kentucky Down’s Mint Gaming Hall has some amazing jackpots. They even have a record win of over $750,000, but that’s not what makes them unique. This top gambling location is featured on our list of casinos in Kentucky because of its live betting and bingo.
There are not many gaming halls that offer simulcast betting or charitable bingo, so these two make the place unique. Combined with an exceptional high-class steakhouse, the Mint Gaming Hall becomes a top destination. If you’re ever travelling to Franklin, you should stop by and enjoy all its great facilities.
Red Mile Gaming & Racing – Best Live Entertainment Casino in Kentucky
Finally, our journey to the best casinos in Kentucky takes us to Lexington. What makes this gaming hall unique is the entertainment that accompanies all the games. The Red Mile wagering floor is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. So, the party here never stops. Players come here to enjoy great games and good DJs at the same time.
Lastly, Red Mills Gaming is also an event center. From a New Year’s Eve Zoom Ball to Doggie Dash Races, any type of event can be enjoyed in its halls. So, this is the place if you’re not looking just to visit but also throw the party of a lifetime. Check
Top Things to Do in Kentucky
Visiting Kentucky just for the great casinos we highlighted is reasonable enough. However, while you are there, you might as well enjoy everything this state has to offer. Also known as the bluegrass state because of its many pastures used for the thoroughbred horse industry, Kentucky has many forests, lakes, and other natural attractions for outdoorsy people.
The must-see places that you can put on your bucket list are Kentucky Lake, the Appalachians, Daniel Boone National Forest, and the Kentucky Derby. The last one is a no-brainer, but the other attractions can be just as fun. For example, Kentucky Lake is one of the largest man-made lakes in the US and a popular location for fishing enthusiasts.
The closest casino to this beautiful lake is Kentucky Downs’ Mint Gaming. Meanwhile, near Danial Boone National Forest, which is ideal for hikes, you will find the Red Mile Gaming Hall. But remember, if the type of gambling available in Kentucky is not your thing, you can always visit its neighbouring state to the northwest and check out the top land-based casinos in Indiana. So, a great casino is always nearby and awaiting your arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Casinos in Kentucky
Gambling in Kentucky is a bit peculiar, and we covered a lot of great casinos, so if you still have questions left, that’s completely normal. We scoured the Internet to find the most frequent inquiries, so we can answer them in the next section. Keep on reading, and everything should become clear as day.
