This page explains, in plain terms, how our site makes money and how we keep that separate from our editorial judgment. We follow the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) guidance on endorsements and affiliate relationships, and we want Kentucky readers in Bowling Green, Louisville, Owensboro, Covington, and Lexington to understand exactly what a link on this site does.
The short version
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and sign up or make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That commission never changes how we rate a product, what we report about Kentucky gambling law, or whether we tell you a brand is unavailable in the state. You must be 21+ to gamble in Kentucky.
What an affiliate link is
An affiliate link is a tracked URL. When you follow it to a partner's website and complete an action, such as registering an account, the partner credits us with a referral. We may then receive a flat fee or a share of revenue.
This costs you nothing. The price, bonus, or sign-up terms you see are the same whether you arrive through our link or type the address yourself. We are paid by the operator, not by you.
Not every link is an affiliate link. Links to government and regulatory pages, news outlets, helplines, and our own internal guides like our Kentucky legality explainer are informational and earn us nothing.
Why this matters in Kentucky
Kentucky's gambling market is unusual, and the commercial landscape is narrow. Real-money online casinos are not legal here. SB 885, which would have studied iGaming, stalled in committee in 2026, and no state-regulated online casino exists.
Sweepstakes casinos are not a workaround
On July 2, 2025, Kentucky Attorney General Liz Murrill issued an opinion deeming dual-currency sweepstakes casinos (Gold Coins plus redeemable Sweeps Coins) illegal gambling under KRS 528.020. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation (KHRGC) sent more than 40 cease-and-desist letters in June 2025, and major brands exited the state. Because of this, we earn little to nothing from sweepstakes referrals in Kentucky, and we will not present those brands as legal here. See our Kentucky sweepstakes casinos page for the current status.
So when we cover online play, our commercial incentive is small precisely because the legal product set is small. We would rather tell you the truth, that the dual-currency sweepstakes operators (the Gold Coin plus redeemable Sweeps Coin sites that once marketed here) are not available to Kentucky players, than push a link that cannot pay out where you live.
Where commissions can and cannot come from
The table below shows, by product type, how affiliate revenue lines up with what is actually legal in Kentucky. Availability is based on the KHRGC and Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, plus statute at legislature.ky.gov.
| Product | Kentucky status | Do we earn here? |
|---|---|---|
| Online sports betting | Legal in 55/64 counties | Sometimes, where lawful and geolocation permits |
| Retail casinos & racinos | Legal | Rarely; mostly informational |
| Pure social casinos (Gold Coins only) | Appears permitted | Occasionally, where the no-redemption model applies |
| Dual-currency sweepstakes casinos | Deemed illegal by AG (2025) | No, brands have exited KY |
| Real-money online casinos | Not legal | No |
| Offshore casinos | Unregulated, not recommended | No, we never promote these |
Pure social casinos that offer Gold Coins with no cash or prize redemption appear to be permitted under KRS 528.020, but this reflects legal-commentator analysis rather than an explicit state ruling. We describe them carefully and never call them flatly legal. Our Kentucky social casinos page goes deeper.
How we keep reporting independent
Editorial and commercial functions are walled off. The writers and reviewers who assess a brand do not set the commercial terms, and a higher commission cannot buy a higher rating or a softer legal summary.
If an operator is unavailable in Kentucky, we say so, even when an affiliate program would otherwise pay us. If a sweepstakes operator changes its Kentucky standing, such as a dual-currency brand dropping Sweeps Coin redemption in the state, we update the page rather than the payout. Where a particular operator's current Kentucky status is unverified, we flag it as such instead of guessing.
What affiliate revenue does
- Funds ongoing research, statute checks, and updates
- Keeps the site free for readers
- Lets us test products and tools firsthand
What it never does
- Change a rating or review verdict
- Soften or overstate Kentucky legal facts
- Make us recommend unavailable or offshore sites
Honest calls to action
We only use a clear call to action, such as a sign-up button, for products that Kentucky residents can actually access lawfully. You will not see a misleading "Play Now" button on a brand that has exited the state. For unavailable products, we link to context, not a dead end.
For comparisons and ratings methodology, see our coverage of online casinos in Kentucky and our Kentucky casino apps guide. Where we mention retail venues like Caesars Bowling Green or the Covington racetracks, see best casinos near Kentucky.
Play responsibly (21+)
Gambling in Kentucky is restricted to ages 21 and older. If gambling stops being fun, free, confidential help is available through the national problem-gambling helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) and the national 1-800-GAMBLER line. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Kentucky Association on Compulsive Gambling also offer support, and Kentucky's voluntary self-exclusion program runs for a minimum of five years with in-person enrollment. See our responsible gambling resources for more.
Questions or corrections
If you spot something out of date or believe a brand's Kentucky status has changed, we want to know. We treat reader corrections as seriously as we treat our affiliate agreements, which is to say, the facts come first.
Editorial note: This page is reviewed for accuracy, legal clarity, bonus transparency, and responsible gambling information. Kentucky gambling laws and operator availability can change, so all legal and promotional details should be verified before publication.