Kentucky Online Lottery Overview

Kentucky is one of many US states that allows its lottery games to be played online. If you live in Kentucky or are visiting, you can play instant games and draw games completely on your phone, tablet, or computer. In other words, you never need to head to the grocery store or gas station to play the Kentucky Lottery if you don’t want to. No wonder the state calls its online lottery the “Fun Club.”

On this page, we’ll cover everything you should know about Kentucky’s online lottery, including the regulations, available games, and safety measures in place.

Read on for your full guide to the Kentucky online lottery.

Options for purchasing lottery tickets online in Kentucky

As of now, there are no online lottery couriers available in Kentucky. So, if you want to play online lottery games in the Bluegrass State, you need to play through the government-run platform.

Kentucky allows players 18 or older to play lottery games online. You can access the games via mobile app (iOS and Android) or desktop. Below, we’ll run you through the important details.

Rules and regulations

Kentucky’s online lottery rules and regulations are fairly straightforward. You must meet the following requirements to play online:

  • You must be 18 or older
  • Have a Fun Club account
  • Verify your identity
  • Be physically located within Kentucky borders at the time of your purchase

The only complex part of the process is identity verification. You will need to upload details to prove your age and identity. Additionally, you must have location services on for the site or app to ensure geolocation can confirm you’re in the state before you play.

Fees

The Kentucky Lottery doesn’t impose any fees on users. The app is free, and there’s no cost to play the online games beyond their baseline prices. Similarly, there are no fees for withdrawing winnings (beyond anything you might pay to your bank or credit card).

Even though the term “Fun Club” might make you think there’s an entry fee, the Kentucky Lottery emphatically dispels that notion in its FAQ. How much does it cost to join the Fun Club? “Absolutely nothing!” says the website.

Promotions and bonuses

Promotions and bonuses are just one of the many reasons to join in on the Kentucky online lottery fun.

New players can get a 100% match on their first deposit, effectively doubling their account value right off the bat. The match is awarded as Bonus Bucks, which must be played and can’t be withdrawn. The maximum first deposit is $849, so the maximum Bonus Bucks you can receive is also $849.

Lower deposits will still be matched, though. For example, a $250 deposit would earn you $250 in Bonus Bucks.

The Kentucky Lottery doesn’t stop there, either. Existing players can get special deals like second chance promotions, referral bonuses, and deposit specials (deposit $100 for $30 in Bonus Bucks).

In terms of promotions for new users and existing users, the Kentucky online lottery is one of the best government-run sites we have seen in states with online lottery play.

Online lottery games available in Kentucky

Kentucky Lottery players can enjoy many amazing games, including Instant Play titles and draw games. Let’s run through the main options.

KY ScratcherInstant Play games are the Kentucky Lottery’s online version of scratch cards. They feature quick gameplay loops, slick animations, and lots of eye-catching art. These games can range from $0.02 per play to $50. You’ll also see games based on popular themes like Ghostbusters, Wheel of Fortune, and more.

Kentucky players can try Instant Play games in demo mode before playing for real. Just click “Try” instead of “Play Now” to test a game before making it the real deal.

Here are a few of our favorite Instant Play games at the Kentucky Lottery. There are many others, so give them all a try to find your favorite:

  • Juicy Wins Jackpot
  • Professor Payout
  • Fishing for Gold
  • Prize Potions
  • Fortune Skies
  • Wheel of Fortune Spin and Win
  • Hot Pepper Payout

Kentucky Lottery Fun Club members can buy Powerball entries on the website or mobile app. Choose your numbers within the online platform and check for wins once the drawing is complete. Prizes are awarded for matches even if you don’t get all the numbers correct. You can play Powerball with the standard ticket price of $2 or add Power Play for an additional $1 per entry.

Mega Millions is another household name draw game. It regularly sees jackpots go into the hundreds of millions and occasionally above one billion dollars. You can play Mega Millions online at the Kentucky Lottery, including base tickets or entries with Megaplier.

More draw games

Here’s a quick look at the other draw games you can play at the Kentucky online lottery:

  • Keno
  • CASH POP
  • Pick 3
  • Pick 4
  • Kentucky 5
  • Cash Ball 225
  • Lucky for Life

Is it safe to play the lottery online in Kentucky?

The short and sweet answer to this question is yes, it’s safe to play the online lottery in Kentucky.

The Kentucky online lottery site and app both use SSL encryption to protect your data as it moves from your device to the Lottery’s servers. SSL is a top-tier tool deployed by other online services such as banks and retailers.

As for your funds, they are also protected. All Kentucky lottery player funds are held in a bank insured by the FDIC.

The Fun Club sign-up process also has added measures to protect your identity. You are required to submit your date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number when you join the Fun Club. This ensures that 1) minors can’t play and 2) nobody else can sign up with your details.

What do Kentucky’s lottery proceeds support?

Kentucky Lottery proceeds go to a few different causes. Here’s the full breakdown:

70%

goes to players in the form of prizes and rewards

20%

goes to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which funds college scholarships and grant programs

5%

goes to retailers who offer games

5%

goes to administration, including operational costs

Since 1989, the Kentucky Lottery has raised more than $7 billion for good causes.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky allocation includes support for various programs:

  • College Access Program
  • Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship
  • Dual Credit Scholarship Program
  • Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship
  • Kentucky Tuition Grant
  • Kentucky National Guard Tuition Award Program

Responsible gambling resources available for Kentucky online lottery players

It’s always important to keep responsible gambling in mind as you play the lottery. Various resources are available in Kentucky and nationwide if you want more information or need help.

The Kentucky Lottery has a dedicated responsible gambling page called Play Responsibly. It includes links to further resources, information on the self-exclusion program, and in-app tools you can use to keep your play at a reasonable level.

KY Gambling Help is a state-specific program for those who may have a gambling problem.

For more information on national resources, see our page devoted to responsible gambling while playing the lottery online.

A brief history of iLottery in Kentucky

The Kentucky Lottery was first launched in 1989. A 1988 vote allowed the creation of a state lottery with a vote exceeding 60%. The first KY lottery sale was on April 4, 1989.

In 2016, the Kentucky Lottery began selling games online (Instant Play and draw games). When it first launched, the Kentucky iLottery had three draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, and KY Cash Ball) plus five Instant Play titles from $0.50 to $3 per play. Kentucky’s online lottery has continued to offer more titles as it has grown.

Latest news about the online lottery in Kentucky

Colorado Lottery Director Sees iLottery, Couriers As ‘Innovations’ To Industry

October 23, 2024 | By: Drew Ellis

Colorado Lottery Director Tom Seaver discussed with PlayiLottery innovations in the lottery landscape, which includes the growth of iLottery and courier services.

Massachusetts Lottery Director ‘Excited’ To Have Couriers Operating In The State

October 21, 2024 | By: Drew Ellis

Massachusetts is working toward an iLottery in 2026, but in the meantime it has a positive relationship with three courier services.

Texas Lottery Advises Lawmakers To Ban Or Regulate Courier Services In 2025

October 18, 2024 | By: Drew Ellis

On Tuesday, Texas Lottery Director Ryan Mindell told lawmakers to either ban or regulate courier services during the 2025 legislative sessions.

New Jersey Lottery Director ‘Alarmed’ By FY25 Mega Millions, Powerball Sales

October 17, 2024 | By: Drew Ellis

NJ Lottery Director James Carey is concerned with FY25 sales after the state fell below budget last month despite an $800 million Mega Millions jackpot.

About the Author

Cole Rush

Cole Rush

Contributor
Cole Rush is a contributor for PlayiLottery who spent six years working at Scientific Games (now Light and Wonder), one of the world's leading lottery operators. He writes for a handful of Catena Media sites, covering online lottery, iGaming, sports betting, and more. A prolific writer in the US gaming market, Cole also has bylines at iGaming Business, ICE 365, and IGB North America. You can email him at [email protected].
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