Democratic Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo recently announced he plans to file a constitutional amendment that would establish seven casinos and dedicate the state’s share of revenues to education and shoring up the state’s public pension systems and horseracing industry. The legislature could consider the bill during the 2016 regular session, which begins in January, to present to voters in November 2016.
“The time has come for voters to decide the expanded-gaming issue once and for all. The evidence is clear: Kentuckians are visiting casinos in other states in large numbers,” Stumbo said, noting a recent story conservatively estimated Kentuckians “are spending more than $3 billion a year at those along the Ohio River, and the state’s two instant racing sites have now generated more than $1 billion since they first went online in September 2011. Whether we like it or not, expanded gaming is here in Kentucky. The only question is whether we should finally benefit from it,” Stumbo said.
Under his legislation, the seven casinos would be located in each of Kentucky’s six congressional districts, with one would be awarded at-large. They only could be located in counties with at least 55,000 people and local voter approval would be required. They would be regulated by the Kentucky Lottery Corporation.
Stumbo said 40 percent of the gaming revenue generated would go to elementary and secondary education; 30 percent to post-secondary education; 20 percent to the state’s public retirement systems “or any other public purpose, as the General Assembly may decide.” Another 10 percent would go to the horseracing industry.
Governor Steve Beshear has made expanded gambling a major part of his platforms during both of his campaigns. But the Republican-led Senate has blocked any Democratic efforts. Republican Senate President Robert Stivers
Stivers recently stated gambling revenue in Ohio and Indiana have not measured up to expectations. “They’re having to morph around their projected revenues that just haven’t come to fruition,” Stivers said.
