Expanded Gambling

Kentucky Anti-Gambling Group: Cost Outweights Benefits

Rae Hodge — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:08:31 +0000

FRANKFORT — Gambling brings social ills that will offset any tax revenue to Kentucky, argued a new group that rallied Wednesday in the Capitol Rotunda.

About 30 people joined the group Stop Predatory Gambling Kentucky for the rally, where speakers dismissed efforts in the General Assembly to expand gambling through casinos or Instant Racing.

Last-Minute Casino Gambling Amendment Introduced in the Kentucky House

Joseph Lord — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:07:25 +0000

Just as the deadline for filing new bills was to expire, a bill to amend the Kentucky constitution to allow for casino gambling was introduced Tuesday afternoon in the state House.

The bill would require the Kentucky General Assembly to allow and create regulation for casino gambling at no more than seven locations. The revenue, the bill says, would be used "job creation, education, human services, health care, veterans programs, local governments, public safety, and the support of the horse industry; create the Equine Excellence fund of dedication funds from gambling."

Steve Beshear: Casino Bill is Dead for 2013, Unsure if Instant Racing Will Be Used to Fund Pensions

Kenny Colston — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:50:49 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear says he's a fan of Instant Racing for Kentucky's horse racing tracks—but he's not sure if legalizing the gambling format would be used to fund the state's struggling pension system.

Meanwhile, Beshear said casino gambling is not happening this year.

Courier-Journal Poll: Majority of Kentuckians Support Expanded Gambling

Kenny Colston — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:08:24 +0000

A recently released poll shows that a majority of Kentuckians favor the expansion of gambling in the state.

Beshear: 'Too Early' on Whether Gambling Bill Will Be Filed

Kenny Colston — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:44:12 +0000

The clock is ticking on the current legislative session, but efforts to push expanded gambling in the 2013 are still on-going, Gov. Steve Beshear said.

“I think it’s too early to reach a conclusion yet on whether we will have a bill on expanded gaming, you know we’ve got some issues to be resolved," he said.

Downtown Louisville a Good Spot for Casino, Mayor Greg Fischer Says

Joseph Lord — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Downtown Louisville would benefit from casinos, Mayor Greg Fisher told WFPL on Thursday.

The market would determine where a casino would be built — but downtown Louisville seems like a logical spot, Fischer told WFPL's Gabe Bullard during an interview.

"That could change a whole lot of the dynamics downtown," Fischer said.

It's "premature" to discuss precisely where a casino may be built in downtown Louisville — or anywhere else — because they're not legal in Kentucky, said Fischer spokesman Chris Poynter, responding to a series of follow-up questions.

Beshear Blends Old and New Legislative Priorities in 2013

Kenny Colston — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear is blending a mix of old and new when it comes to his legislative priorities in 2013.

With the 2013 session’s first days only weeks away, Beshear is ready to push some old initiatives while helping lawmakers solve pressing issues like pensions.

Beshear says he will once again try to find enough votes to pass expanded gambling legislation in 2013. And he wants to pass the so-called dropout bill as well.

Kentucky Lawmakers Optimistic Gambling Bill Will Pass

Kenny Colston — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:35:02 +0000

After years of defeat, Kentucky lawmakers believe an expanded gambling bill could become law next year.

At the Kentucky Chamber’s annual policy day, House Speaker Greg Stumbo and new Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer discussed the prospects of such a bill in the upcoming session. Both leaders suggested the opposing chamber take up the bill first when they get to Frankfort next month.

On Expanded Gambling, Beshear Open to Cleaner Amendment

Kenny Colston — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:17:55 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear is considering multiple options in the efforts to get the General Assembly to support expanded gambling legislation.

A constitutional amendment failed earlier this year in the state Senate -- and a major complaint from critics was that the amendment did too much to protect thoroughbred racing tracks over other businesses. The bill banned casinos from being within 60 miles of a race track, unless the casino was at the track.

Expanded Gambling Issue May be Addressed in 2013 (Maybe.)

Kenny Colston — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:25:18 +0000

Is now the time for the General Assembly to address expanded gambling? (Again.) With just more than a month before the 2013 session begins, observers of the Kentucky legislature are wondering.

A few new factors are at play: First is the governor’s continued interest in the topic. Second expanded gambling's chief opponent, David Williams, is gone.