Kentucky Sports Betting Bill ‘Close’ to Passing With One Day Left in Session

Wednesday’s KY General Assembly session ended without the Senate bringing upwardly the sports betting bill, which way supporters testament have just now one solar day left wing – Thursday – to get the Bluegrass State the 37th to legitimatize the gaming product.

Rumors swirled around the Capitol Building inward capital of Kentucky virtually possible voter turnout counts, with several people indicating supporters were simply a fellow member forth from reaching the 23-vote threshold they want to passing play House Bill 551 before the time strikes midnight.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) was asked repeatedly after the Senate adjourned for the night if they needed unity voter turnout to liberty chit House Bill 551, sponsored past country Rep. Michael George Meredith (R-Oakland). They’re “close” is how he responded to each one time.

There are some undecideds, and I’m hopeful that with a unspoilt night’s sleep and a wise set of eyes that we tin can get the votes to make it it tomorrow,” he told reporters after the session ended around 9:30 pm.

If the session wraps upwardly Th without the Senate taking upwardly the measure, efforts to legitimize sports betting would experience to waitress until lawmakers homecoming for the 2024 session in January. In addition, it would German mark the 2d consecutive year where the Kentucky Senate did not vote on the bill before the session ended.

Democrats ‘United’ for Sports Betting

Thayer did say that all VII Democratic members of the chamber were on room with the bill, significance the undecideds are among the 30 Republican members.

Minority Caucus Chair Reginald Lowell Jackson Thomas (D-Lexington) concurred.

“It appears to follow that way,” he told Casino.org after the session. “We’ve been united inward terms of the important issues for the people this session… On this issuance this is a critically important come out that Kentuckians want. i surmise that we (Democrats) will live unitedly tomorrow.”

Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has said he would signalise a sports betting billhook into law. His successful crusade for governor tetrad years ago included calls for expanded gaming in the state.

If approved, HB 551 would permit the state’s IX racetracks to operate retail sportsbooks at their facilities. In addition, they would live able to partner with upwardly to threesome online operators apiece.

It needs 23 votes come out of 37 members to pass on because the tell formation requires any note generating revenue or allocating funds that’s beingness considered inwards a non-budget session must obtain at to the lowest degree a three-fifths majority.

Gaming Industry Lobbies Lawmakers

Lawmakers returned to Frankfort Wednesday for the final years of the session. The day before, American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Henry Miller sent a varsity letter to apiece senator urging them to legitimatise sports betting.

The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), a coalition of BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics, has also been lobbying lawmakers. According to data from the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, the SBA has spent $13,720 during the 1st ii months of the legislative session. The group also spent nearly $68,000 finally year to pushing for legalized sports betting.

Kentucky isn’t the only if state general assembly that’s considering legalizing sports betting. Measures are currently alive(p) in several states – most notably Georgia, Missouri, Second Earl of Guilford Carolina, and Vermont.