Kentucky Bill Would Allow Referendum For Voter Approval of Seven Casinos
A constitutional amendment was introduced in Kentucky this past week that would allow up to seven casinos in the state, with five at horse tracks and two in other places. This would allow the state to compete more effectively against neighboring Indiana casinos and soon to be Ohio casinos.
"We're here today to announce the filing of legislation to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that lets the people decide once and for all,"said Gov. Steve Beshear , citing public interest polls. "The question is simply, do we as leaders listen to our people, or do we ignore them?"
The bill has bipartisan support and has 10 co-sponsors, two Republicans and eight Democrats.
Senator Damon Thayer, who filed the bill, says the bill will likely go to the Senate's State and Local Government Committee, which he is the chair of. He plans to have a vote on February 22.
Recent polls done by both the state Republican party and racetracks found that over 80 percent of Kentucky citizens, regardless of their stance on the issue, want to vote on allowing casinos in the state.