In a recent radio interview, Republican Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, who is running for re-election, said suicides due to gambling happen every night. The comment was made in response to Democratic Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear’s position supporting casino gaming as a revenue stream to help fund public pensions. Beshear is running against Bevin for governor.
Bevin said, “Every night somewhere in America, somebody takes their life in a casino because they’ve wasted the last semblance of dignity and hope that they had. Families are ruined. Lives are ruined.” He added that there’s no “political appetite” for legal casino gaming in Kentucky.
In response, Beshear campaign spokesman Sam Newton called Bevin’s remarks “erratic” and offered “further proof he’s unfit to lead.” In addition, Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, said, “Governor Bevin’s comments this morning about the casino gaming industry were patently false and irresponsible. Our industry commits hundreds of millions of dollars a year to address the very serious issue of problem gambling, ensuring that patrons have the tools they need to engage in our offerings in a responsible manner.”
Beshear has estimated that expanded gaming could generate up to $500 million a year for the state, money that now goes to neighboring states with legal casinos. He said he would direct all gaming revenue to the state’s struggling pension systems, which would free up other state funds for education and health care.
Beshear’s father, former Governor Steve Beshear, supported gaming measures that consistently failed in the legislature. This year, a bill to legalize sports betting, which Beshear supports, also died in the GOP-majority legislature.
