Kentucky legislators are currently reviewing significant reforms to the state’s sports betting framework, just under three years after the launch of legal wagering.

House Bill 904, which was presented in the Kentucky House earlier this month, aims to increase the legal sports betting age from 18 to 21 and to prohibit specific proposition bets related to college athletes. Since its legalization in 2023, sports betting in Kentucky has rapidly established itself as a robust market. As it stands, the state permits bettors as young as 18 to engage in online wagers and those placed at licensed racetrack sportsbooks.

If enacted, this legislation would bring Kentucky in line with most other U.S. jurisdictions that mandate a minimum betting age of 21. Proponents of the bill argue that the change aims to safeguard younger adults from the potential risks associated with gambling, while also reinforcing consumer protections within the industry.

Advocates for responsible gambling have noted that younger bettors may be particularly susceptible to financial difficulties arising from wagers. One advocate shared with local media that raising the legal age could significantly mitigate the risk of serious gambling-related problems among young adults. Additionally, the proposal seeks to restrict player prop bets in college sports. Should the bill pass, sportsbooks would be prohibited from offering wagers on individual player statistics for athletes representing Kentucky colleges.

These prop bets usually pertain to outcomes like points scored, passing yards, or rebounds made by specific players. Lawmakers emphasize that this restriction is designed to shield student-athletes from potential harassment or external pressures tied to betting markets.