Kentucky lawmakers overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of HB 904 on April 14, clearing the way for a broad package of gambling law changes to take effect. Some of the biggest changes are raising the legal age for Kentucky sports betting, banning certain bet types, enacting rules around fantasy sports licenses and contests, and legalizing fixed-odds wagering on horse racing.
The changes are set to go into effect in 90 days.
What HB 904 Does
HB 904 raises the state’s legal sports betting age from 18 to 21. It also bans Kentucky betting apps from offering unders on college player props involving in-state teams, a move lawmakers pitched as an integrity measure. You'll still be able to bet the over on things like receiving yards for a Louisville wide receiver or points scored for a Kentucky player, but "negative outcome" props will no longer be allowed.
On the fantasy side, the bill creates a licensing and regulatory structure that includes geolocation, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and responsible gaming requirements.
The bill also targets prediction markets. Under the new law, licensed tracks, sportsbooks, and fantasy operators are restricted from contracting with certain entities connected to prediction markets or event contract platforms.
HB 904 touches on horse racing, too, authorizing fixed-odds wagering and including language blocking a registrar from capping the number of mares bred to a stallion outside the process described in the law.
One thing the bill doesn't do is change anything with sportsbook promos in Kentucky. In a bill this broad, with this many changes, it wouldn't have been surprising to see language around what kind of promotional offers were allowed, how they are treated in terms of revenue, or how they are marketed.
Why Did Gov. Beshear Veto HB 904?
Beshear did not reject HB 904 over its gambling policy. In his veto message, he said the bill would let the Kentucky Lottery Corporation and the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation file administrative regulations without the Governor’s review and signature, which he argued would interfere with his constitutional role in overseeing the executive branch.
The House and Senate were quick to override the Governor's veto, and did so without much opposition. Before the veto, the bill was voted on favorably by the House and Senate by votes of 64-19 and 24-13, respectively. The overrides were passed 26-5 in the Senate and 67-7 in the House.
