Poker Room Lexington Ky

Important KY Notes

Many Kentucky poker enthusiasts also like to take a trip across the state lines to Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri for dependable venues and higher stakes of action. Poker Players Alliance campaigners are working tirelessly to lobby state politicians and ease the state’s gambling laws enough to allow legal poker. Poker Rooms In Lexington Ky can easily progress to making smart blackjack bets quickly. Practice using one of our 50 free blackjack games now before playing blackjack for real money.

• The Cue Club of Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky. The Cue Club is an upscale Billiard room and Sports Hub. We welcome your entire family to come and play games, eat, drink, or just relax.
• Find the best Poker Rooms in KY, cities starting with the letter E. Find Poker Rooms in maps with reviews, websites, phone numbers, addresses, and business profiles.
• Find the best Poker Rooms in KY. Find Poker Rooms in maps with reviews, websites, phone numbers, addresses, and business profiles.

• KY citizens can lawfully play at offshore poker sites
• State has an anti-gambling tradition, aside from horse racing
• Lottery, charitable, and horse racing, only legal forms
• Many KY residents head to neighboring IN for casino gaming
• Still no criminal penalties for players in gambling games

The state of Kentucky does not allow any form of online poker to be operated within their state according to its law books. There are no bills in the legal channels that may make online poker a reality in the state in the near future, nor has the state considered creating an authority that may oversee and regulate a potential online poker industry in Kentucky. Uniquely in US gambling law, Kentucky’s gambling legislation accommodates zero criminal liability for anyone caught wagering outside the framework of legal gambling. Offshore poker rooms report on regular visits by residents of the Bluegrass State which is legal.

Future Outlook of Online Poker in Kentucky – Estimated date of legalization: 2021-2022

The following graph tracks our expected legislation of online poker in Kentucky on a state law level. It is currently already legal on a Federal level. This graph monitors the current rise or fall of expected legalization.

Recent Activity
Kentucky is one of those states where it is difficult to say in which directions the winds are blowing in terms of online poker and gambling in general. State laws are full of paradoxes. On the one hand, Kentucky takes a relatively strict stance when it comes to unregulated gambling, but on the other it doesn’t hold gamblers liable for doing so and they recently passed an online lottery.

Horse racing and the betting trimmings that come with this sport are entrenched in Kentucky’s character, and the fact that placing bets on races online is legal, could mean that a natural next step may be expanding online gambling to include casino games and poker. However, nothing has yet appeared on the horizon which indicates that this is the direction that Kentucky is willing to take. In addition, Kentucky has a relatively small population – less than 4.5 million residents – meaning that it will be very difficult for the state to support a viable online poker industry without signing compacts with other states or jurisdictions.

Many believed that as long as Governor Steve Beshear is in office (he no longer is governor), there is zero to little chance that Kentucky will see legalized online poker. Beshear, who ironically based his gubernatorial campaign on the expansion of gambling in Kentucky many years ago, made headlines in 2008 when he announced his intention to shut down 141 illegal internet gambling sites[A] in the state in an effort to halt unregulated online gambling. At the time, Beshear filed a civil suit against the domain names, stating that, “unlicensed, unregulated, illegal Internet gambling poses a tremendous threat to the citizens of the Commonwealth because of its ease, availability and anonymity. The owners and operators of these illegal sites prey on Kentucky citizens, including our youth, and deprive the Commonwealth of millions of dollars in revenue. It’s an underworld wrought with scams and schemes.”

The case rolled on for over three years during which time the Federal Government seized nine of the domain names (FullTiltPoker.com, PokerStars.com, AbsolutePoker.com, UltimateBet.com, DoylesRoom.com, TruePoker.com, Bookmaker.com and Bodog.com). In 2011, the governor filed papers with the Department of Justice in a bid to claim some of the frozen assets[B] belonging to Full Tilt Poker seized on Black Friday (April 2011).

In 2012[C], the original judge in the case ordered that the registry, Verisign hand over the remaining domain names[D] to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In June 2013, Kentucky finally gave up on its fraud claims[E] against Poker Stars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker after the Department of Justice agreed to give some of the settlement funds that it received from the Poker Stars sale deal to the State of Kentucky.

Another personality with clout, who has expressed an opinion on the subject is the president of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation, Arthur L. Gleason Jr. In 2012, Gleason voiced his opposition to a bill[F] put forward by Senators Reid and Kyl to legalize online poker on a federal level. Gleason’s opposition is interesting because he is of the opinion that the introduction of a federal bill would infringe on the rights of individual states to regulate their own internet gambling industries. “Individual states are best able to decide what, if any, gambling should occur within their borders”, he said. At the time, he noted that while the lottery has no immediate plans to initiate any form of online gambling, “we strongly wish to preserve that right and all revenue-generating opportunities that may be available should it be determined to be in the best interest of the Commonwealth in the future. The legislation being developed by Senators Reid and Kyl, however, if enacted, would definitely curtail that right, and consequently, future revenue generating opportunities.”

History of Gambling in Kentucky

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Land Based Poker in Kentucky

The laws governing gambling in general also cover poker in Kentucky. Section 528:010(3)[G] defines gambling as, “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device which is based upon an element of chance, in accord with an agreement or understanding that someone will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”

But it seems that Kentucky law only targets operators of poker and not players of poker, as seen in the section Gambling Laws in Kentucky below.

In terms of finding land poker games to play, this may prove to be a difficult task. Kentucky does not offer legal poker rooms and while the player won’t land in any trouble for playing home poker games for real money, operators risk running afoul of the law for “advancing gambling activity”. Having said that, home poker games can be found in the state. Those caught running home games could, technically, be found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and if home (or bar) games take a profit, operators could face felony charges and up to five years in prison.

A number of poker leagues exist in Kentucky, including the Kentucky Blue Poker Crew, the WPT Amateur League and Under the Gun Poker League, a free Texas Hold ’em league played at bars around Lexington, Kentucky. Monthly tournaments are held for top contenders, with prizes to be won.

An interpretation of the law[H] by Professor William F. Weld of Harvard Law School states that, “Kentucky law currently allows for a state lottery and gambling at horse tracks and bingo halls. Legal analysis reveals that the same statutes should be interpreted to include poker since it is predominantly a game of skill, not an illegal game of chance.”

Gambling Laws in Kentucky

As stated, gambling laws in Kentucky are covered by state code 528.010; 230.010. A definition of gambling under Kentucky legislation is noted in the section above, Land Based Poker in Kentucky. The law generally protects those who are merely ‘players’ of a game by having zero criminal liability, but is not ashamed to go after anyone who could be even vaguely considered an operator. A person who ‘advances gambling activity’, is described in Section 528.010(7) as, “when, acting other than as a player, he engages in conduct that materially aids any form of gambling activity. The conduct shall include, but is not limited to, conduct directed toward the establishment of the particular game, contest, scheme, device, or activity involved; toward the acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment, or apparatus therefor; toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to participate therein; toward the actual conduct of the playing phases thereof; toward the arrangement of any of its financial or recording phases or toward any other phase of its operation.”

In a nutshell, the only forms of legalized gambling in Kentucky are pari-mutuel wagering in licensed settings on dog and horse races. In addition, the state offers a lottery to its citizens, as well as several forms of charitable gambling such as bingo and raffles. A quirky Kentucky gambling law states under Section 372.010 that anyone who loses money gambling can sue the operator to recover his or her losses. Should the player not sue within six months, anyone else can sue to recover the losses.

With such a sparse range of options, many Kentuckians head to nearby West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to enjoy quality casino gambling.

Over the years, attempts have been made to expand gambling in the state, especially considering the long and rich history Kentucky has with horse racing and breeding. However, it seems that it is this very industry that is gambling expansion’s biggest obstacle, with much of the opposition coming from the horse racing industry. Operators of tracks and on-site betting facilities are afraid that the expansion of casino gambling would keep their profits down and, until now, they have successfully blocked any changes to the current legislation.

According to Associated Press[I], lawmakers will attempt to bring Las Vegas style casinos to their jurisdictions in Kentucky during the course of 2014, in the form of potential constitutional amendments that would appear on the 2014 fall ballot should it be approved by the General Assembly which it wasn’t. Supporters of expanded gambling say that the state will benefit economically by the construction of seven planned casinos, with locations determined by companion legislation.

Exceptions to Kentucky’s anti-gambling legislation include one of the only types of legal ‘gambling devices’ – pari mutuel machines that dispense tickets at licensed tracks. Pinball machines are also allowed as long as they are played “for amusement only” and offer up to 30 free games.

There are no brick and mortar casinos – tribal or state endorsed – in Kentucky, although the state’s close proximity to states that do offer casino gambling helps players wanting to get in some live gambling. The Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana, for example, is a popular choice for fans of table games and casino games. The Horseshoe is considered the birthplace of the World Series of Poker brand and offers 30 lively tables in a top class poker room, with daily games such as No Limit Texas Hold ’em to Seven Card Stud.

In 2015, state representatives again proposed Vegas style casinos to enter their state, up to six. This proposition has not come to fruition yet, but 2016 looks much more promising.

Racing in Kentucky boasts a rich history and continues to be one of the state’s most revenue generating industries. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission[J], an independent agency of state government, is responsible for regulating the conduct of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and related activities in Kentucky. All statutes and regulations pertaining to racing in Kentucky can be found here[K].

In general, pari-mutuel betting is allowed on horse running, trotting and pacing races, harness races. Off track interstate wagering is also legal. Bookmaking, organizing or promoting gambling or possessing gambling records and devices are all banned.

It is possible to wager on the Kentucky Derby and other races online. The Kentucky Derby promotes twinspires.com[L] as the official site to wager on this annual Grade I stakes race for three year old thoroughbreds. The KentuckyDerby.com[M] site also provides an option to wager on potential competitors at attractive odds.

Created in 1989, the Kentucky Lottery[N] has earned over $4 billion for the state’s treasury, donating more than $2 billion the Kentucky Excellence Scholarship Program and other worthy causes. The lottery offers draw games such as Pick 3 and Pick 4, Cash Ball, Keno, Mega Millions and Powerball, as well as multiple scratch card options. Lottery tickets can be purchased over the internet and through licensed land-based retailers. Players must be at least 18 years of age to purchase or redeem tickets.

In July 2014, the Kentucky Lottery Corporation issued a proposal to launch an online lottery system in Kentucky, which was approved in late November of 2014. On April 18, 2016, the state went live with the purchasing of lottery tickets over the internet to their residents. There is a $1,000 monthly customer spending limit on the eight lottery games that can be purchased online.

Various forms of charitable gambling are allowed in Kentucky, falling under the Public Protection’s Cabinet’s Department of Charitable Gaming. According to the department it, “provides a regulatory framework allowing charitable gaming to thrive as a viable fundraising mechanism. The department helps to ensure the productivity of charitable gaming through appropriate regulation, oversight and education.”

Kentucky allows bingo, raffles, scratch off type tickets and limited types of ‘casino nights’ (as long as slot machines and video games are not used), all in the name of charity.

Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
(C) Copyright PokerWebsites.com, 2018

References and Citations

All forms of gambling are illegal in Kentucky, aside from a few small
exceptions, and this definitely includes live Texas holdem poker. Naturally
this extends to online poker also, with no regulation or legislation allowing
for online play. Not all hope it lost if you’re Kentucky native though, as you
still have plenty of options to get your poker fill as we elaborate on below.

The only form of gambling allowed under state laws in Kentucky is placing
wagers on horse racing. This is tightly regulated, more so than in many other
states and even the type of horses and frequency of entries in to races are
controlled by state regulations.

This is quite extensive and really does put Kentucky as close as you could
come to strict non-gambling states like Utah and Hawaii. Off track betting is
also permitted at the regulated establishments that exist within Kentucky.
Permitted racing includes thoroughbred racing and also harness racing, so you
can get some action if you just feel the need to place some bets in this state.

Only pari-mutuel wagering is legal in Kentucky. So those that run the
gambling are in no way collecting from wagers directly and only receive a
commission based on all wagers received. The remaining money is placed in a pool
and pay outs are determined based on wager rates from all of those who
contributed to this pool with their bets.

Unfortunately this does not extend to poker in any way. Casinos and gambling
establishments are illegal to run and operate in the state and no wagering on
games of chance is permitted at all. You can run charity games though so if
you’d like to raise some money for a charity through a poker game this is
certainly legal.

Keep in mind though if you profit from this in any way at all the lawmakers
and authorities will come down on you very hard. The most common form of gaming
for charities is in the form of bingo, raffles, and scratch tickets. So you
usually wouldn’t find a charity poker game.

Unlicensed Texas Holdem

Even with the laws and regulations around gambling, this has not stopped a
number of informal poker games popping up at restaurants, bars, and clubs. You
won’t have to look too hard to find some of these games and they’re usually
played at lower stakes.

If you do choose to take a seat then proceed with caution. Firstly, because
state laws prohibit some games, you could land yourself in trouble with the
authorities. Although they usually only go after the person or people who are
running the game.

Secondly, these types of games aren’t regulated or controlled like games are
in casinos. So security should always be a concern, and the chances that someone
is cheating or colluding in the game is much higher than you find in a casino.
Of course we aren’t saying that all of these games are dangerous and filled with
mechanics, simply that you need to take some extra precautionary steps when
entering these games when compared to a live poker game in a respected casino.

Online Texas Holdem

In respect to online poker there’s no clear legislation, except for a brief
connection between statements in law that says devices that allow gambling
aren’t permitted. Although this is obviously a bit of a grey area as you can do
much more on a computer than just gambling and online poker.

For bets on horse racing you can do this electronically, which further
muddies the waters. One thing is clear though, they apply the law in the
live environment to online play. Therefore you can’t play online poker or gamble
online in casinos in games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. Once again
the onus is on the operator and they’ll be shut down by the state authorities if
they attempt to offer online wagering, aside from horse racing, to citizens of
Kentucky.

Legal Live Poker Options

Your best bet to play live poker if you live in Kentucky is to travel out of
state. Depending on where you live in the state this shouldn’t be too much of an
inconvenience. Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio all have casinos and poker
rooms relatively close to the border with Kentucky, so basically you can drive a
few hours from anywhere in the state to get to a decent poker room.

Poker Room Lexington Ky Obituaries

If you live further south in the state or to the west, you’ll need to travel
a bit more to play Texas holdem poker. If you’re in the western part of Kentucky
you can travel to West Virginia to play, with a handful of vibrant rooms running
there. To the south your options are short and you’ll have to travel even
further. This is because Tennessee also prohibits most forms of gambling, so
you’ll need to head north, east, or west to find a live poker table if you live
in the southern part of Kentucky.

Many of you may be thinking why Kentucky allows betting on horse racing, but
no other forms of gambling. While this is a contradiction to say no gambling is
permitted except on one type of event, the reasoning behind this is quite common
to many other states in the US.

Fundamentally it’s written in law that horse racing is actually skill based,
because of the skill of the horse and jockey in respect to how well they do in a
race. Therefore, gambling on this isn’t based on chance or luck.

Because of this one reason you can place bets on horses, but can’t play poker
or sit down at a blackjack table. While many would argue that poker is a game of
skill, lawmakers and authorities don’t see it this way. Many casino operators
have attempted to challenge this in the courts without much luck. So it’s really
down to petitioning the law to change if you want to see these types of games
legalized any time soon.

If you’re a native of Kentucky your poker options are quite limited. You’ll
have access to some good options though provided you live near a state border,
particularly in the north. If not, you’ll have to do some travelling and as such
you probably won’t take to the felt nearly as much as you want to.

If you have ambitions to play a lot more poker and become a regular then
you’ll need to make the move to a city that’s right on the border, or move to
another state. Poker options are just too limited and there’s probably too much
risk involved for most people to get involved in some of the underground games
that happen in the state.

Because of the hard line stance the state takes in relation to gambling there
is slim to no chance that poker will ever be legalised. Even though horse racing
betting is allowed, everything else is banned and the door seems truly shut in
respect to more gaming opening up. This is happening even with pressure building
from neighbouring states, so based on this we’ve made the aforementioned
conclusion.

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Conclusion

Texas holdem is just as popular in Kentucky as in most other states, but you
still can’t find any legal poker rooms. The good news is you can travel to the
surrounding states to quickly find a wide variety of poker options. And if you
know where to look the state is filled with private and home holdem games.