New gaming proposal surfaces in Kentucky
A last-minute bill filed by a Kentucky lawmaker could bring casino style gambling into the mix at the state’s eight racetracks.
The bill submitted in Kentucky’s House of Representatives would allow the tracks to operate electronic games of “skill,” such as video poker and video blackjack. Rep. Harry Moberly thought games might be more acceptable than a proposal by Gov. Steve Beshear that would allow the racetracks to offer traditional slot machines.
Under the proposal, revenues produced by the games at Kentucky’s tracks would be taxed at 33 percent with 18 percent going to the state, 13.5 percent to the tracks and 1.5 percent for horsemen.
Casino-style gaming has been proposed off and on for Kentucky as a way to help revive the state’s famous horse racing industry and to combat casinos planned for neighboring states, such as Ohio.
Union Gaming Group principal Bill Lerner believes the matter won’t make it through the Kentucky Legislature.
“Although a majority of residents are in favor of expanded gaming in Kentucky (59 percent), an even greater majority want to see it enacted via a voter referendum rather than through the legislature (85 percent),” Lerner told clients Wednesday.