Those who support Kentucky expanded gambling and legalizing casinos are back in the starting gate, mounting another campaign that promotes expanded gambling as a lucrative revenue source during lean times in hopes of a strong stretch run for a proposal mired in defeat.
The latest version will be presented as a proposed constitutional amendment that would go on the 2014 fall ballot in Kentucky if approved by the General Assembly. Proposals have been drafted for introduction in the House and Senate.
Its most ardent backers insist it’s not such a long-shot, but even they sound worn down by years of setbacks. “This is probably the last chance to do it, I really think,” said Rep. Larry Clark, D-Louisville, the second-ranking House member. Critics sound confident the proposal will fall short of the finish line, again.
“We think they’ve got the same problem they’ve always had — which is they don’t have the votes,” said Martin Cothran, a spokesman for The Family Foundation. “It’s not good for the state, it’s not good for the horse industry, it’s not good for problem gamblers.” Kentucky has a long history of wagering on horses but the Bible-belt state has resisted casinos.
Stepping forward as lead sponsors for the latest proposals will be two high-ranking lawmakers. Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Dan Seum, R-Louisville, will be leading the push in the Senate and Clark, the House speaker pro tem, will do so in the House.
Seum’s proposal would allow up to seven casinos statewide but doesn’t specify where. Locations would be determined by companion legislation.
His Kentucky expanded gambling proposal would designate 10 percent of gambling revenue to assist the state’s horse industry, bolstering race purses and breeders’ incentives to encourage horse owners to race in Kentucky. The state’s tracks have lost a competitive edge to other venues where casino money sweetens purses.
