Off Track Betting Locations in Kentucky
Ah, Kentucky. Home of Churchill Downs in Louisville, where one of the most heralded thoroughbred horse races in the world ("the greatest two minutes in sports") has taken place on the first Saturday in May every year since 1875. By that time Kentucky's association with horse racing was already well-established, with historians placing its origins to around 1783. By the 1870s, though, the industry was in decline and breeders turned to Meriwether Lewis Clark (grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition). Clark designed a series of races which culminated in the Kentucky Derby. Clark's maternal family was the Churchills, part of whose land holdings would become Churchill Downs.
If any place can be considered the center of the modern era of horse racing, it is here, and doing just fine. In fact, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported Churchill Downs made $5.2 million more during Kentucky Derby week in 2016 than the previous year, propelled by higher ticket prices for new premium indoor seating and the Turf Club, increased media money and record attendance for its premier event.
Besides Churchill Downs, the state has four other major tracks where thoroughbreds run: Ellis Park in Henderson, Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky Downs in Franklin and Turfway Park in Florence. Standardbred racing is held at Bluegrass Downs in Paducah, the Red Mile in Lexington and Thunder Ridge in Preston.
Online Racebooks to Bet Kentucky Horse Racing
If you can't find a Kentucky OTB, you can still bet the races with one of these online racebooks.
| Rank | Racebook | Bonus | Review | Link to site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | $250 Free Bet on Props + Head-to-Heads | VISIT RACEBOOK! | |
| #2 |  | 100% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $500 | VISIT RACEBOOK! | |
| #3 |  | 50% up to $1,000 + $25 Risk Free Bet + 7% Rebates | VISIT RACEBOOK! | |
| #4 |  | 100% sign-up bonus up to $300 + 8% rebate | VISIT RACEBOOK! | |
| #5 |  | Up to 13% Weekly Loyalty Rewards | VISIT RACEBOOK! | |
| #6 |  | 50% sign-up bonus up to $250 | VISIT RACEBOOK! | |
| #7 |  | $100 Free Bet on Props + Head-to-Heads! | VISIT RACEBOOK! |
* REMINDER! - you must be of legal age in your state or province to legally wager on thoroughbred or harness horse racing. Please bet responsibly!
While race tracks do offer simulcast wagering, cuurently there are no off-track betting options in the Bluegrass State. The last three facilities owned by Kentucky Off-Track Betting (Corbin, Jamestown and Maysville) were closed in 2013 amid declining handles and the rise of online wagering; another bureau located in Pineville was shuttered in 2010. No recent reports indicate any proposals are being put together to revive OTB. Not to worry, though: our preferred racebooks give you access to betting on races in Kentucky and worldwide.
