In Kentucky, the Interim Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations recently met to discuss legalizing sports betting, and whether the Kentucky Lottery Corporation or the Kentucky Horse Racing commission should regulate it.
State Senator Morgan McGarvey said, “Now that the Supreme Court made this legal, let’s not have Kentucky be the last state to do something.” Although none of the states that have legalized sports betting have included paying an integrity fee to major league sports leagues, McGarvey said such a fee could be beneficial to both the leagues and Kentucky. State Rep. Dennis Keane’s bill, BR-15, which would require the Kentucky Lottery Corporation to establish and regulate a sports wagering system, does not include an integrity fee.
McGarvey stated, “I think it shows Kentucky is serious about passing sports betting. They wouldn’t be spending the money on all of these lobbyists if we didn’t have a chance at passing a bill. I’ve already met with one of the lobbyists from the PGA. It’s good to get their opinions, it’s good to get their thoughts on this because they have dealt with it in other states and in other countries.”
Brendan Bussman, director of government affairs at the economic research firm Global Market Advisors urged lawmakers to consider competitive tax rates, integrity monitoring systems and comprehensive regulations in any sports betting legislation. He added mobile betting also should be included, since it could help increase non-gaming revenue at land-based gambling sites, and also make sports wagering more convenient for participants.
