Kentucky Governor Proposes Casino Amendment
Many cash strapped states have turned to casino gambling as a new revenue stream. In Kentucky a coalition of business leaders, labor organizations and education groups pressured legislators to approve a constitutional amendment that that would legalize casino gambling in Kentucky. The amendment would have to be approved by a majority of voters in the state. David Adkisson, president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is pro casino gambling and told reporters “We have a very simple goal — let the people decide how to handle this issue of casino gaming. Year after year, our members overwhelmingly support expanded gaming and the citizens’ right to vote. We believe it is time to finally put the issue on the ballot.”
Kentucky has a thriving horseracing industry and betting on races is a time honored tradition in Kentucky. Unfortunately Kentucky’s state constitution does not approve of casino gambling. Since Kentucky is a Bible belt state many legislators are reluctant to express their support of casino gambling lest they face disapproving voters at election time. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has pushed for expanded gambling in Kentucky but so far has not been able to convince a majority of lawmakers to support casino gambling. Beshear says that currently Kentuckians are wagering millions in neighboring states with legal casino gambling. Beshear wants that money to stay in Kentucky. Recently Ohio announced plans for a new casino in Cincinnati, just across the river from Kentucky.
Not everyone wants casino gambling like poker, roulette or blackjack in Kentucky. Republican Larry Forgy is a staunch casino opponent and criticized the Chamber’s position on casino gambling. Forgy sees gambling as a ‘moral’ issue. In a somewhat bizarre statement Forgy said “I contend that there’s a front seat in hell for the leadership of an organization that will propose a program that will impose gambling losses on a population that can’t afford to buy a ham sandwich for lunch. This is unconscionable.” Forgy insists that casino gambling will do nothing to solve the state’s fiscal problems. Forgy stated “I intend to walk barefooted from one end of this state to the other to defeat this constitutional amendment if they put it on there. But I don’t think they have the votes as it stands right now.”
Beshear’s gambling legislation has not yet been filed. Kentucky State Building & Construction Trades Council director Larry Roberts said the amendment has widespread support and could create new jobs. Roberts told reporters “Look around you. Those of us here today represent every corner of our state, all political parties, we are moderates and conservatives, business and labor unions, teachers and private citizens – and, though we may disagree on many other issues, and are not shy about expressing those disagreements, on this issue we agree 100 percent.” In the future internet gambling could become another contentious issue in Kentucky. Several states have already announced plans to offer legal internet gambling to residents. Hopefully Kentucky will choose to allow residents spend their money as they see fit.
