Illegal gambling is covered by Section 528 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. In March 2023, the Kentucky legislature passed a bill to legalize land-based and mobile sports betting, heralding the most significant expansion of gambling since the establishment of the state lottery in 1988. Its nine racetracks are hugely important to the local economy, and include Churchill Downs, home of the famous Kentucky Derby.
There are no casinos, although the state has a famous and thriving parimutuel horse racing industry. Kentucky is somewhat restrictive when it comes to gambling.
