Kentucky’s House of Representatives has passed House Bill 904, a legislative package aimed at reforming sports betting in the state by raising the minimum age from 18 to 21. The bill, sponsored by Republican Representatives Michael Meredith and Matthew Koch, received strong support with a 79‑15 vote and now awaits consideration by the Senate.
House Bill 904 proposes several key changes designed to increase protections for consumers and uphold the integrity of sports betting in Kentucky, building on a market that has already shown significant early momentum since launch.
One of the principal provisions raises the legal age for sports betting to 21, shifting it upward from the current threshold of 18. Additionally, the bill seeks to prohibit prop bets on athletes competing for Kentucky colleges.
Meredith argued that such limitations will reduce the risk of bribery or harassment directed at student athletes.
“It would also ban prop betting on in-state collegiate athletes, those who play for Kentucky teams. This would take away any incentive for bribery or harassing a player for not meeting a goal,” Meredith said, per the Interior Journal.
Lawmakers widen scope to fantasy, prediction markets and compliance
Beyond sports betting, the bill would regulate fantasy sports contests by bringing them under the licensing and taxation authority of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.
It also outlines a tax framework for prediction markets, contingent upon federal courts permitting these markets to operate legally in the future, an area of ongoing regulatory evolution that parallels broader gambling expansion discussions in the state.
Furthermore, the proposal contemplates legalising fixed‑odds wagering on horse racing, an option currently limited under Kentucky law. It also calls for the establishment of a study task force to examine oversight practices for charitable gaming activities within the state.
Currently, some sports betting operators limit customers’ winnings on bets; HB 904 would make this practice illegal. Bookmakers who refuse to honour large winning bets would no longer be able to enforce such bans if the bill becomes law.
The legislation also introduces a provision to bar individuals owing more than $1,000 in child‑support arrears from placing sports wagers until their debt is cleared. The attorney general’s office would compile a list of delinquent payers and share it with the gaming regulator and operators to enforce this measure.
The passage of HB 904 through the House comes with just seven legislative days left in Kentucky’s 60-day session. This timing indicates significant momentum for the bill but does not guarantee its final enactment.
