Kentucky gambling grows 54% in February over last year

A new report out of Kentucky has shown an enormous growth in sports betting. Revenue year on year is now up 54.2%, from February 2024 to 2025. That’s a jump from $18.7 million to $28.9 million in revenue.

US gambling habits are increasing across the country, with several different outlets gaining massive traction. Sports betting is just one of them, with February’s handle hitting $218.99 million. Some have pointed out that this is down from January’s $271 million handle.

However, January was when the build-up to the Super Bowl would have gained traction for betting, with the dip expected. February was still up in total bets made by 14.3% year-on-year. This has allowed Kentucky to earn $4.1 million in tax just this month.

As broken down by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, a good chunk of the money made was through online wagering apps like DraftKings and Bet365.

DraftKings managed to pull in $11.9 million, while the rest of Flutter Entertainment drew $11.5 million. Bet365 and BetMGM, smaller operations in the state, did $1.99 million and $1.05 million.

Kentucky is currently looking to expand its gambling operations. In January, a bill was introduced to try to “license and regulate casino gaming and fantasy contests”. Since February, this has been sent to the Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations.

If the bill were to pass, it would expand Kentucky’s gambling to “full casino, limited casino, and riverboat casino” operations. Casinos in Kentucky would have to pay a 21% tax to the state, as well as charge $3 for admission.

“Fantasy contents” pertains to things like fantasy football and apps like the aforementioned DraftKings, where Kentucky would begin regulating them.

Kentucky only made sports betting legal in September 2023. Since then, it has only grown exponentially. The popular sweepstakes casinos haven’t come under the firing line for the state yet, unlike in New York and Maryland, where lawmakers are seeking to ban them over a lack of regulations.

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