Instant Racing

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.

Kentucky Pension Bills in 'Legislative Purgatory' as Both Chambers Argue Over Procedure

Kenny Colston — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:25:22 +0000

FRANKFORT — Arguments over how to reform and pay for Kentucky's underfunded pension systems have devolved into legislative chaos.

Both the Kentucky House and the Senate are refusing bills addressing pensions, citing legal or procedural reasons. And leading legislators are blaming each other.

The 2013 session has eight working days remaining, but doesn't officially close until March 26 to allow time for vetoes and overrides.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo says the Senate's actions are killing the issue.

Pension Fixes in Limbo As Leaders Argue Over Approaches

Kenny Colston and Rae Hodge — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:00:54 +0000

A House bill aiming to help generate revenues for the underfunded pension system is in legal limbo as the Senate refused to accept the bill.

House Bill 416 takes revenues from expansion of Instant Racing and online lottery sales and the start of a Keno game to generate close to $100 million a year to pay into state's currently underfunded pensions for state employees.

House Passes Two Pension Bills But Controversy Over Vote Looms

Kenny Colston — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:16:30 +0000

The House has narrowly passed two bills dealing with the state's underfunded pension system, but not without controversy.

The House passed an amended version of Senate Bill 2, which keeps the pension systems as a defined benefit and creates a new oversight panel for Kentucky's many pension plans. It passed on party lines 55-45, with Democrats favoring.

House Committee OKs Pension Funding Bill That Relies on Gambling Dollars

Kenny Colston — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:45:11 +0000

The House budget committee has passed a bill that would help shore up Kentucky's underfunded pension system by relying on gambling revenue.

House Bill 416 would take revenues from expanding Kentucky lottery sales and online games, as well as from Instant Racing—if the state Supreme Court upholds the legality of the game—and move the money to the struggling pension program for state employees.

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.

House Leaders Considering Instant Racing Legalization to Help Pay for Pensions

Kenny Colston — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:32:24 +0000

Kentucky House leaders are considering legalizing Instant Racing across Kentucky to help plug the funding gap in the state's pensions.

Instant Racing is a slots-like game currently played at two Kentucky tracks, Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs. The legality of the game is also currently being litigated at the Kentucky Supreme Court.

But if the General Assembly passes a bill authorizing it, the court case would be moot.

Ellis Park May Take On Partner

Rick Howlett and the Associated Press — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:06:25 +0000

The owner of western Kentucky’s Ellis Park racetrack says he’s nearing a deal to take on a business partner.

A company associated with New York Saratoga Casino and Raceway wants to buy a 30-percent stake in Ellis Park. Owner Ron Geary says his new partners would take over day-to-day opertations.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is reviewing the proposed $4 million deal.

Last month Ellis Park became the second Kentucky track to install Instant Racing machines that allow patrons to wager on videos of previously run races.

Instant Racing Case Again Appealed to State Supreme Court

Kenny Colston — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:54:54 +0000

Court of Appeals Sends Instant Racing Back to Circuit Court

Kenny Colston — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:54:22 +0000

The Kentucky Court of Appeals has overturned a ruling that would've allowed instant racing at horse tracks in Kentucky.