Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin recently said legalizing casino gambling and marijuana to help resolve the state’s billion pension-system deficit system “is not going to happen while I’m governor.” Consultants PFM Group of Philadelphia had recommended those and other measures as ways to raise state revenue without raising taxes. But Bevin stated he does not believe the benefits of legalizing expanded gambling would offset “the societal costs.”
Kentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover and state Senate President Robert Stivers said they have not heard any discussion among lawmakers regarding making casino gambling legal. Previously Bevin said he is against raising taxes. He noted expanded gambling went nowhere under former Governor Steve Beshear when Democrats controlled the state House. “There’s less appetite even now as there was then, so we could be for any number of things or against any number of things. If there’s not the political willpower to get them done, they’re not going to get done. And those are two things that are not going to happen in Kentucky. They’re just not,” Bevin said.
Currently in Kentucky, betting at horse racetracks is allowed. The state, home to the Kentucky Derby, has several live horse racetracks as well as many that offer historic racing and electronic gambling machines. Charitable gambling, including lotteries and raffles, also is permitted under certain conditions.
